The assassination of former President Trump, the FBI leads the investigation

2024-07-14 09:39:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The assassination of former President Trump, the FBI leads the investigation

Donald Trump

Former US President Donald Trump said late Saturday that a bullet grazed his right ear after someone shot him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI said it has taken over the investigation.

"Special agents from the FBI's Pittsburgh office responded immediately," the FBI said in a statement hours after the suspected assassination.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama issued strong statements condemning the violence.

The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt, according to media reports, and could further intensify and complicate the presidential race.

Mr. Trump confirmed in a statement published on his social media page that the perpetrator of the attack was killed, as well as a participant in the rally. Two other people were injured, according to a statement from the Secret Service.

Mr. Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their work.

"Most importantly," he said, "I want to express my condolences to the family of the person who was killed, as well as to the family of another person who was seriously injured. It is unbelievable that such an act could happen In our country.

On the left ear and on the face of the former president, there were traces of blood after what appeared to be gunshots coming from an unknown direction.

As he was leaving, he raised a fist to the crowd, which chanted: "USA, USA."

The attack came after a busy day of campaigning for Mr Trump and former President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race.

Former President Donald Trump's campaign officials said in a statement that he was doing well.

"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their swift action during this heinous act," spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. "He is fine and is being checked at a local medical facility. More details will be given later."

The Secret Service said in a statement that "the former president was out of danger" and that the matter was now under active investigation. It also added that further information will be released when available.

The attack on Mr Trump was the most serious attempt to kill a president or presidential candidate since the assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981.

This assassination comes in a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months before the presidential election and a few days before Mr. Trump is officially nominated as his party's candidate for the Republican Assembly. His campaign said the Assembly would be held as planned. /VOA