NEW ORLEANS — Update 7:45 p.m. CST: CBS says former president Trump says on his Truth Social network that he was shot in the ear but is okay. He thanked law enforcement. "Much bleeding took place." He ended his post with "God Bless America."
Update 7:30 p.m. CST: CBS says shooter used a rifle. Was at an elevated position outside of the rally setting.
Update 7:25 p.m. CST: CBS says it has talked to Donald Trump Jr., who said his father "is fine."
Former President Donald Trump says he was shot in the ear but is okay after a shooting took place Saturday at his rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service said that the shooter had been neutralized. Another person was reportedly killed in the attempt.
CBS reports that the former president confirmed that he had been shot. On his Truth Social, he said. "Pierced upper right part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong. Much bleeding took place. I realized then what was happening."
CBS also said it had talked to Republican Congressman Mike Kelly who was backstage at the event.
"Everything was calm. A couple of shots rang out. Everyone saw the former president go down. Everyone in the stage area just dropped. I believe a lady near me was hit. He’s worried other people were hit by bullets," said CBS, quoting Kelly.
Trump raised his hand to his ear and then was quickly covered and whisked off by Secret Service officials after the incident.
In video played by CNN you can hear multiple shots, some screaming and Secret Service telling the former president that there was "blood on his face." You then hear another series of shots, which is believed to be Secret Service returning fire. At some point you hear someone say that the shooter was down and that it was safe for them to move Trump.
At the rally, some may have been unsure
VIDEO: CBS image shows blood on former president Trump's face
A statement from his camp says that Trump "thanked law enforcement" and that he had been taken to a medical facility but was safe.
President Joe Biden issued a statement calling the shooting at the rally "sick" and said. "There is no place for this." Biden said he was "trying to call Donald."
CBS News was on wall-to-wall coverage starting shortly after the shooting.
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.
The shooting comes just days before the Republican convention and with intense interest in an expected naming of a running mate by Trump.
A CBS commentator referred to the incident as an "assassination attempt."
Trump raised his fist in defiance as he was escorted off.
The Secret Service said that "protective measures" had been taken for the former president.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, himself a victim of a shooting that injured him severely in 2017, said that he was praying for "President Donald Trump."
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., said "Praying that President Trump’s wounds are not serious and for the Americans wounded in the crowd. All violence should be condemned, but particularly political violence which attempts to shape the direction of the country. We do not bow to political terrorists.” – Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)
