American Presidential Election Turns Bloody As Trump Escapes Gun Attack At Campaign Rally 

By Omowumi Omotosho with Agency Reports

American presidential election on Saturday took a violent turn as former President, Donald Trump was rushed offstage following gunshots at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Loud popping noises akin to gunshots rang out as Trump spoke at his rally, prompting his Secret Service detail to spring into action and escort him offstage.

The former president ducked as the apparent shots were fired less than ten minutes into his speech, which set off screams among the crowd. His supporters had gathered on a sweltering hot Saturday in a western part of the state.

Trump, appearing to be bleeding from his head, pumped his fist in the air and appeared to shout “Fight!” as he was rushed offstage and into a black vehicle.

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) was at the rally, and told Fox News he heard about eight to 10 shots.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said the former president “is fine.”

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” the statement said. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

President Joe Biden has had an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said in a statement.

Donald Trump was safe, the U.S. Secret Service and his campaign said on Saturday.

Trump repeatedly raised his fist in the air, with an American flag visible behind him, as security ushered him away.

“The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe,” a spokesperson for the agency said on X after what it called an incident. “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”

CNN reported that Trump was injured, but gave no other details. It was not clear how or what injuries he may have sustained.

One person is believed to be dead, Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE reported, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldfinger.

One witness, Ron Moose, said he heard what sounded like four shots, describing the sound as “pop, pop, pop.”

Trump’s campaign spokesperson said Trump was fine and that he was being checked out at a local medical facility.

“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. More details will follow,” spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

The venue was abandoned with chairs knocked over and yellow police tape around the stage. A helicopter flew above and law enforcement officers walked through the area, the video feed showed. Armed law enforcement officers were also seen on a roof near the stage where Trump was standing.

Trump and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, with most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos showing the two evenly matched.

Trump is due to receive the Republican nomination formally at the Republican National Convention that kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

Biden has been facing his own pushback within his own party following a disastrous debate performance against the former president a little more than two weeks ago.

Trump, who served as president from 2017-2021, easily bested his rivals for the Republican nomination early in the campaign and has largely unified around him the party that had briefly wavered in support after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

The businessman and former reality television star entered the year facing a raft of legal worries, including four separate criminal prosecutions. He was found guilty in late May of trying to cover up hush money payments to a porn star, but the other three prosecutions he faces — including two for his attempts to overturn his defeat — have been ground to a halt by various factors including a Supreme Court decision early this month that found him to be partly immune to prosecution.