Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former American President and frontline presidential candidate in the November US presidential poll, Donald Trump, narrowly escaped assassination attempt on his life during a presidential rally in Pennsylvania.
The shooter who was yet to be identified was shot dead but another person was said to have been critically wounded.
Trump was, however, taken to safety by security agents as the crowd scampered for safety.
Trump confirmed the incident later on his social media handle, the Truth, saying bullet hit “upper part of my right ear,” and “much bleeding took place.”
In the post on Truth Social, Trump extended his thanks to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “rapid response.”
He said: “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.
“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, and shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
According to an eyewitness account, the shooting “sounded like firecrackers – it wasn’t a heavy weapon, it was small arms fire.”
“We all hit the ground, people on the bleachers scattered.”
However, the American President, Joe Biden, was relieved that his challenger in the November election is safe and condemned the attack..
“I’m grateful Trump is safe, no place for political violence in America,” Biden was reported to have said.
Meanwhile, world leaders have been condemning the attack on Trump.
Former president Barack Obama wrote on X: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
“We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this,” he said.
UK’s PM, Keir Starmer also condemned the attack saying, “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.”
Trump who lost to the incumbent President Joe Biden four years ago, is favoured by pollsters as the likely winner of the November US presidential poll after flooring Biden at the CNN presidential debate.
