By Will Weissert, Associated Press

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Saturday that “everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, adding that he hoped to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.

Addressing the nation about two hours after the shooting, Biden said he was relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well.” He said he had been unable to reach Trump before his remarks and pledged to update the public later Saturday on whether they speak as well as additional details about the investigation.

“We cannot allow this to be happening,” Biden said. “The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.”

Biden, speaking without a teleprompter, said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president.

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“I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.

The president delivered remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes. He was spending the weekend at his beach home and was at a nearby church for mass when the shooting occurred.

Biden received an “initial briefing” from aides after he left church minutes after the shooting and then convened security officials for a more in-depth update from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

After the shooting at Trump’s rally, the Biden campaign said it was pausing all messaging to supporters and working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible, the campaign said.

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that she was also briefed, adding that she and her husband “are relieved” that Trump was not seriously inured.

“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said.

A press release has been issued from The White House in regards to the shooting that took place at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump.

The release can be read below.

A statement released by President Joe Biden in regards to the shooting a Trump rally in Pennsylvania

By: JACQUELINE DESROSIERS

BUTLER, PA- Former President Donald Trump was taken off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pa., Saturday after what sounded like multiple shots were fired.

Trump reached for what appeared to be his ear or neck as Secret Service members jumped to the stage and surrounded him, leading him away. Photos and video showed blood on Trump’s ear and face as he was removed from the stage. 

A spokesman later said the former president is “fine and being checked out at a local medical facility.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said.

Trump was conscious in the immediate aftermath and pumped his fist in the air several times, attempting to rally the crowd, before agents escorted him away to the motorcade. The Secret Service counterassault team immediately took the stage in heavy armor to look for the attacker.

U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Twitter that the Secret Service has “implemented protective measures and the former President is safe.” 

Guglielmi added that the incident is now the subject of an active Secret Service investigation, and the agency will release further information when it becomes available.

President Biden received an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like multiple gunshots fired about 10 minutes into Trump’s remarks at a fairgrounds about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.

“I saw Trump go down, but then I saw him get up, and he raised his hand that he was OK,” said Mark McEvoy, 50, of Weirton, W.Va. McAvoy said he thought he heard between 8 and 10 shots.

According to the Butler County District Attorney, one shooter is in custody, and another is dead.

Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine” after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania following a shooting that a local prosecutor left the suspected gunman and at least one attendee dead.

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

The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe,” the Associated Press reported.

The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. Images showed blood on his face as he was rushed off the state by Secret Service members.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: People watch television news at a bar in Milwaukee displaying images from a campaign rally for former U.S. President Donald Trump where he was apparently injured on July 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Details are unclear, but Secret Service quickly ushered Trump away while speaking at the Pennsylvania rally. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)