SEATTLE — Washington officials are responding to the chaotic events of a shooting at a political rally for former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump was injured when shots were fired and Secret Service agents quickly whisked him off stage and away from the rally. Trump posted on social media that a bullet hit him in the ear.
The shooting is now under investigation as an attempted assassination of the former president, according to the FBI.
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger told the Associated Press that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally spectator was killed. Another spectator is in critical condition.
Several Washington officials are denouncing the violence.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, who briefly ran for president in 2019, said on X, formerly Twitter, that "violence has no place in politics, ever."
"I hope whoever perpetrated today’s attack is held to account. Our thoughts are with all who attended the former president’s event, and I join the many others who are expressing gratitude for the Secret Service and first responders," Inslee's post reads.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell echoed a similar sentiment, stating "this act of political violence is disturbing and unacceptable in our country." Harrell thanked the Secret Service and first responders at the scene and said his "thoughts are with the former president and all the people who attended today’s rally."
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said on X: "Violence is never acceptable, I don’t care what your political beliefs are. We use our voices and our votes in a democracy—violence has no place in America."
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), in a statement, called this a "heinous act." Gluesenkamp Perez added that “there is no room in America for political violence of any kind, against anyone, for any reason.”
Sen. Maria Cantwell said on social media that she is glad Trump is safe and that "there is no place for political violence in America."
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson wrote on social media that he condemns the attack against Trump "in the strongest possible terms." He added, "As a nation, we must come together."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.