Viral photo shows Donald Trump dodging bullet that grazed his right ear after split second head tilt

The image, captured by New York Times photographer Doug Mills, features a gray streak just above Donald Trump's left shoulder
UPDATED JUL 15, 2024
A photo taken at former President Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally shows a gunshot that narrowly missed his head (Getty Images,  @MikeSonko/X)
A photo taken at former President Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally shows a gunshot that narrowly missed his head (Getty Images, @MikeSonko/X)

Trigger Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: A photo taken at former President Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally shows a gunshot that narrowly missed his head.

The image, captured by New York Times photographer Doug Mills, features a gray streak just above Trump's left shoulder.

In other photos taken by Mills, Trump is seen inspecting his right ear, and in another image, he has blood on his hand after checking it, according to Marca.



 

Photo shows bullet flying past Donald Trump's head before grazing his right ear

After the incident, Trump posted on Truth Social that a bullet had "pierced the upper part of my right ear." He described the sensation of the bullet "ripping through the skin" and mentioned hearing a "whizzing sound."



 

Trump notably expressed his gratitude to law enforcement in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the US Secret Service for their swift response. He also extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased and to the individual who was seriously injured at the rally.



 

Additionally, the shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Mathew Crook, was killed by Secret Service snipers. When the counter-sniper team heard the shots fired from Crook's rifle, they returned fire, resulting in his death at the location where he targeted the former president.



 

Additionally, records show that Crooks was a Republican voter in Pennsylvania. However, federal campaign finance documents reveal that on January 20, 2021—President Joe Biden's inauguration—he contributed $15 to a progressive political action committee, as per Associated Press.

Eye witness calls the incident a 'terrible tragedy'

When the gunfire erupted, Rep Dan Meuser and several other Republican candidates and officials were seated in the front row. He told the AP, "It was pretty clear after the first pop that it was gunfire. My eyes were glued on Trump. It was just a lot of mayhem, and just a terrible, terrible tragedy, a terrible shame."

Meuser stated that he had met Trump earlier in the evening, describing the former president as "loose," "cool," and playful during their interaction.

(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Donald Trump was shot in Pennsylvania where a bullet grazed his right ear (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The congressman expressed appreciation for the many texts and calls he received from both Republican and Democratic colleagues, including Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who reached out to check on him. However, he noted that the incident left him feeling upset and somewhat powerless.

He said, "The level of lack of civility and hostility, maybe this will send a ringing signal to all those to cool it."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

Sen Roger Marshall introduced the Passport Sanity Act to end gender-neutral passports citing security and Trump-era precedent
13 hours ago
JB Pritzker went after Trump after he suggested alleged crime-ridden cities like Chicago could serve as a training ground for National Guard troops
1 day ago
With the US nearing a government shutdown, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video mocking Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries as desperate
2 days ago
Trump revived his long-running clash with Jerome Powell by sharing a viral cartoon while demanding deeper rate cuts despite Fed independence
4 days ago
Supreme Court backs Trump’s move to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid, marking a major win for executive power
5 days ago
Pam Bondi also said the Justice Department was transferring inmates taken off death row under former President Joe Biden into maximum-security prisons
6 days ago
During a Wisconsin Senate immigration debate, the top Democrat lunged at chairman’s gavel, calling Republicans 'cowards' and questioning their faith
6 days ago
Donald Trump said UN officials 'ought to be ashamed,' adding he will send a letter to the Secretary General demanding an immediate investigation
7 days ago
JD Vance said that Democrats like Gavin Newsom and the left-wing media fuel violence by spreading lies about law enforcement
7 days ago
The display shows black-and-white presidential portraits in gold frames, but Joe Biden is replaced with an autopen signing his signature
7 days ago