During the latest Republican gathering and before the official conference to name him as the candidate against Democratic rival Joe Biden in the November elections, former U.S. President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt that shook the world. As Trump had just begun delivering his speech, leaning slightly to the right under a clear sky and in high temperatures, the sound of gunfire erupted.
Suddenly, just 6 minutes later, a barrage of "pops" resembling gunshots rained down on the president, prompting Trump to immediately grab his right ear and look at the blood on his hands before quickly falling to the ground behind the podium, causing the crowd to scream and the people standing behind him to bend over in shock.
The entire moment of Trump's assassination attempt unfolded with gunfire, Trump holding his ears, Secret Service agents rushing to him, telling him to duck and covering him with their bodies, the sounds of additional gunfire, and agents announcing "the shooter is down" as well as "ready to move." Trump exclaimed "My shoe!" while the service agents...
Six officers from the Secret Service, responsible for the security of presidents and former presidents, quickly surrounded the injured president, who was sitting on his knees behind the podium, as a second barrage of gunfire erupted. The Secret Service agents kept Trump on the ground for 25 seconds until someone shouted, "The shooter is down!" indicating the shooter had been killed. Another person yelled, "Move!" while many in the crowd continued to scream. Other armed officers climbed onto the stage, helped him get up, and escorted him from the stage to his vehicle.
As he was evacuated, one officer raised his arm above Trump's head to protect him from potential further shots, while the president raised his fist amidst the cheers of his supporters, despite blood covering his face. The Secret Service agents surrounded Trump and moved him to a nearby black vehicle.
### The Attacker and the Weapon
A witness for the BBC stated that he saw the shooter climbing the roof of a low building outside the security perimeter with a rifle, emphasizing that he shouted to the nearby police officers to alert them to the potential threat. He added that the police appeared confused at first and did not respond immediately to the warning. He also noted that five shots were fired as Secret Service members stormed the rooftop, pointing their rifles at the attacker to confirm he was dead.
Richard Goldinger, the District Attorney of Butler County in Pennsylvania, confirmed the death of one attendee at the rally, the assailant's death, and that another person sustained serious injuries. He added that the assailant was positioned outside the location of the outdoor rally. He stated, "I don’t know how he got to the location. But he was outside," pointing out that he was stationed on a building adjacent to the rally site.
CNN reported that the suspect in Trump's assassination attempt is a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania. Military experts suggested the type of weapon used, but neither its specifics nor the shooter's identity were disclosed, according to CNN. However, ABC News reported that information based on sources, including a military expert, indicated that the shooter used an AR-15 rifle, firing eight shots. The military source said this weapon is similar to the military sniper rifle M4, with capabilities of hitting targets from 200 yards (182 meters) to 300 yards (274 meters) without a scope, and further if a scope is used. The source expressed surprise that Trump was not hit, though his ear was injured; the president mentioned hearing a bullet whizz by him.
