4:21pm PT — A source who spoke with a member of the Secret Service tells TMZ: Trump was not hit by a bullet. On the contrary, a bullet hit his teleprompter and the glass hit him near the ear.
We’re also told two people at the rally were struck by gunfire and are in the hospital. We don’t know their condition. Sources say the shooter was taken down by the Secret Service. The Associated press says the shooter is dead and one visitor was killed.
4:19 PM PT — Footage circulating online shows law enforcement officers dragging a person out of the venue. It is unclear whether this is the shooter.
4:16 PM PT — Candidate for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania David McCormick said during a Fox News interview that someone else in the crowd was hit and given first aid.
4:13 PM PT — A Secret Service spokesperson just tweeted about the incident and repeated it Trump is safe and they are not investigating the incident. Further information will be released as it becomes available.
4:10 PM PT — Elon Musk tweeted his support for Donald Trump after the shooting and said he is the toughest president since Teddy Roosevelt.
4:00 PM PT — While some media outlets are reporting that the shots came from inside the venue, others are saying that the weapon was actually a greater distance from outside the event. It is not clear at this time what exactly is going on.
3:58 PM PT — The White House released a statement saying the former president is safe.
3:50 PM PT — Steven Cheung – Trump Communications Director – tells TMZ… “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is doing well and is being evaluated at a local medical facility. More details to follow.”
Donald Trump has been shot and wounded at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The former president of the United States was addressing a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when bangs rang through the crowd, causing confusion and shouts in the air.
Watch the video… Trump reacts clearly as the sound of three shots rings out, then puts his hand over his ear and falls to the ground. The Secret Service rushes forward, wrestles him down, and shields the Republican candidate with their bodies.
Then there was a flurry of bullets… apparently police returned fire, although it’s unclear exactly where they came from.
Trump lies on the ground for about a minute before his security guard pulls him back up and tries to drive him away from the stage. However, Trump pushes back and raises his fist in defiance of the shocked crowd.
While it’s unclear exactly where the shot came from, it appears Trump was hit by one of the projectiles… as blood is leaking from somewhere on his head, near his ear.
Another photo shows blood seeping from the side of his head into his mouth…although the former president appears unfazed and continues to pump his power fist at the audience.
The Secret Service continues to press until DJT leaves the stage and takes him to his motorcade. He was taken to a local medical facility.
Rifleman took the stage after Trump was chased away… and kept an eye out for the gunman or gunman.
We don’t know how serious his injuries are.
Developing story…
Originally published – 3:33 PM PT