A detailed look at how events unfolded when a shooter tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.
Former President Donald Trump was hustled off the stage with a bloodied face after a bullet pierced his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Authorities are now investigating what they’ve called an assassination attempt.
The attack marked the first shooting of a U.S. president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981.
Here’s a timeline of what happened at the shooting that led to the death of one rally-goer, with two more sustaining serious injuries.
6:02 p.m. —Trump Takes the Stage
Former President Trump takes to the stage to the tune of “God Bless the USA,” waving to the crowd under the scorching sun.
6:09 p.m.—Onlookers Notice Gunman on Roof
About two minutes before the first shot rings out, onlookers outside the rally are caught on video pointing out the shooter to law enforcement.
“Look, they’re all pointing,” one says.
“Yeah, someone’s on top of the roof,” another says.
The video zooms in on the shooter: “Yeah, he’s right there, you see him? He’s laying down; you see him?”
“Officer!” one shouts.
6:11:18 p.m. —Trump Speaks
In the final moments before the shooting, President Trump talks about illegal immigration, referencing stats displayed on two jumbotrons that show it was lower during his tenure.
6:11:32 p.m. —Shots Fired
Former President Trump continues speaking about illegal immigration, and begins to say, “If you wanna see something really sad, look what happened over …”
At this point, the first shot can be heard on camera. Six more shots also ring out in quick succession after the first.
Just milliseconds before, the former president had cocked his head slightly to the right.
Moments Before the Shooting: Police Officer Approaches Rooftop
Just before the shooting, a police officer with Butler Township attempts to approach the shooter by climbing onto the roof where he had positioned himself.
As the officer grabs onto the roof’s ledge to get on the roof, the shooter turns and aims his gun in the officer’s direction.
At this point, the officer lets go of the ledge, retreats, and reports the threat via radio. The shooter then opens fire on the rally below.
6:11:32 p.m. —Shots Fired
Former President Trump continues speaking about illegal immigration, and begins to say, “If you wanna see something really sad, look what happened over …”
At this point, the first shot can be heard on camera. Six more shots also ring out in quick succession after the first.
Just milliseconds before, the former president had cocked his head slightly to the right.
6:11:33 p.m. —Trump Grabs Ear
Immediately after the shot rings out, former President Trump stops speaking and quickly grabs at his right ear.
Pulling his hand away, he then quickly drops to the ground behind his podium. The entire crowd behind him reacts just as quickly, also falling into a crouch behind the stage.
At the same moment, video footage appears to show a Secret Service sniper positioned on a rooftop behind the stage taking a shot in the direction of the shooter. In the moment before taking the shot, the Secret Service sniper can be seen looking into his scope to line up a shot.
Shouts begin to ring out from attendees.
Moments later, a Secret Service agent can be heard shouting, “Get down, get down!”
6:11:36 p.m. —Secret Service Comes Onstage
Former President Trump’s personal escort of Secret Service agents immediately bounds onstage as soon as it became obvious that something is wrong.
At this point, at least seven Secret Service agents swarm the former president, falling on top of him to cover his body from further shots.
“What’re we doing, what’re we doing?” one female agent can be heard saying. “Where are we going?”
6:12:32 p.m. —Trump Gets Up
or nearly a full minute, former President Trump remains prone on the stage, his body covered by Secret Service agents.
Two Secret Service personnel carrying semi-automatic military grade rifles take to the stage, scanning the crowd as Secret Service agents try to determine their next move.
Several agents can be heard shouting, “Shooter down.”
“Shooter down, are we good to move?” a female agent asks.
“Shooter’s down,” a male agent replies. “We’re good to move.”
At this point, former President Trump begins to slowly stand up, still largely covered by agents. His shirt and hair are disheveled, and a stream of blood runs down the right side of his face.
As he stands up, agents continue to shield his body from view.
6:12:47 p.m. —‘Fight, Fight, Fight!’
As former President Trump stands up, he can be heard telling agents, “Let me get my shoes.”
Moments later, he says, “Wait, wait, wait.”
The former president at this point raises his fist to the crowd and says, “Fight, fight, fight!”
By Eva Fu, Frank Fang, Joseph Lord
