Former President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by his Secret Service team after the sounds of possible gunfire erupted from the crowd at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The incident, which was captured on livestream footage, occurred about ten minutes after Trump took to the podium.
Around 6:13 pm local time, a series of loud bangs could be heard before the audience seemingly ducked for cover.
Trump appeared to be hit by something near his right ear, and in video footage, he is seen lowering himself to the ground before this Secret Service agents rallied around him.
Though he was quickly surrounded and whisked to safely by his security team, he uttered the defiant words: “Fight, fight, fight, fight.”
In addition to his words, with his face visibly bloodied, he raised his fist in a symbol of resistance to his presumably worried followers.
He was driven away from the premises, and location of the rally is now an active crime scene.
The Secret Service is still reportedly assessing the incident, and said in a statement: “An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”
A spokesperson for Trump also said in a statement: “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
The governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro was also informed about the incident.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” Shapiro said.
