President Biden spoke with former President Trump Saturday night after a shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a White House spokesperson told Fox News.
The former president suffered injuries to his ear after the shooting, appearing with blood on his face. He was discharged from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh late Saturday night.
Biden also spoke with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.
A briefing was given to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday night from Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, Attorney General Merrick Garland, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
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The spokesperson said the president is returning to the White House from his home in Delaware. On Sunday, he will receive an updated briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement officials.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting.
The Secret Service confirms one spectator was killed and two others were injured in the shooting. The shooter was also killed.
“During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
“U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased,” the statement added. “U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘SHOT WITH A BULLET’ IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AT PENNSYLVANIA RALLY
Politicians from all sides have condemned the shooting.
Trump thanked law enforcement after the incident for their quick response, and expressed condolences to the spectator who was killed.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump said in a statement. “Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.”
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” he continued. “Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.
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