A gunman and an audience member have died after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump – with the former president escaping with a bullet wound to his ear.
It happened early on Saturday evening as Trump was speaking to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Secret Service said a gunman fired “multiple shots” from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue”.
He was killed and US law enforcement sources, speaking anonymously, believe he was aged about 20 and from Pennsylvania.
Two others were also critically injured in the incident – and all three victims were men.
Trump shooting latest: Rifle and body pictured on roof
Pic: AP
Pic: AP
Trump, who ducked below the podium as the shooting began, said a bullet pierced the upper part of his ear.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he said on social media.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response,” Trump added.
“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.”
Pic: AP
Pic: AP
The incident unfolded as Trump was on stage giving a speech. He suddenly hit the floor clutching his ear as a series of shots rang out and people screamed.
He was mobbed by Secret Service agents and stayed down for around a minute as they shielded him and armed security jumped on stage.
Trump was helped to his feet with a bloodied ear, pumped his fist in the air and shouted “fight” before being bundled away into a vehicle.
Pic: AP
Pic: AP
The Secret Service said he was now “safe” and it was treating the incident as an attempted assassination.
“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” said Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Footage shows a building with a white roof, about 150m from where Trump was speaking, with what appears to be a body and a rifle on top.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Video appears to show rifle and body
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘The guy… he looks dead’
There are unconfirmed reports several people at the event tried to alert police and Secret Service to the gunman.
FBI special agent Kevin Rojek told reporters he could not yet reveal his name but that they were close to identifying him.
He said the motive was so far unclear.
“There was identification of suspicious packages around where the shooter was and so we deployed – in an abundance of caution – bomb assets to make sure they were cleared for investigators to move safely in the area,” he added.
George Bivens, from Pennsylvania State Police, said they are urgently investigating whether anyone else was involved.
Read more:
‘Pop pop pop’ – Witnesses describe moment of shooting
In pictures: Gunman fires multiple shots at Trump rally
President Biden condemned the shooting and said there was “no place in America for this kind of violence”.
“It’s sick. Sick,” he said in a press briefing in Delaware. “We cannot allow for this to be happening.”
He added: “I tried to get a hold of Donald – he’s with his doctors. Apparently, he’s doing well. I hope I get to speak to him tonight.”
The president is now understood to have spoken to his rival.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Biden: ‘We cannot be like this’
Former president Barack Obama wrote on X: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.
“Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on X: “I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies, and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”
Israel’s president, Benjamin Netanyahu, posted: “Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.”
