Donald Trump was left bleeding from his ear after being shot on stage at a rally in a horrific attack by a would-be assassin.
A barrage of rifle rounds rained down shortly after the former president got up to speak on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump grabbed the side of his head and ducked as bullets whizzed by and screams from terrified onlookers rang out.
Secret Service agents could be heard shouting ‘the shooter is down’ in the ensuing chaos and the gunman was later confirmed dead.
At least one Trump supporter was killed and two others were critically injured by stray bullets in the assassination attempt.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said he was told by detectives that the gunman, named as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was on the roof of a building adjacent to the event, and the shooting ‘would have required a rifle’ as it ‘was several hundred yards’ away.
The identity of the dead bystander have not yet been confirmed. An AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene.
In an image that has already gone around the world, Trump was pictured repeatedly pumping his fist with blood dripping from his face while being swarmed by Secret Service agents.
Moments later, he was rushed away to safety. Trump’s team said further updates on the former president’s condition will follow soon.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump said his thoughts are with the family of the rally attendee who was killed, as he said he 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, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,’ he said.
‘I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
‘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.
‘GOD BLESS AMERICA!’
A witness told the BBC that agents ‘blew the (shooter’s) head off.’
Within seconds of shots ringing out, Trump was put to the floor by several Secret Service agents to protect him.
Onlookers said ‘residual bangs’ were heard after Trump hit the floor.
Trump stood up shortly after and pumped his fist at the crowd, leading to chants of ‘USA’ and ‘Make America Great Again.’
He appeared to mouth the word ‘fight’ to supporters.
The Secret Service said in a statement that the former president is ‘safe’, adding that the situation was being treated as ‘an active Secret Service investigation.’
The extent of Trump’s injuries are not clear, although he appeared to want to show his supporters that he was okay moments after being shot.
President Biden said in a statement that American ‘must unite as one nation’ in response to the horrific scenes.
‘I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,’ the White House said in a statement.
‘I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.’
In a press conference later in the evening, Biden described the incident as ‘sick’, and said there is ‘no place in America for this kind of violence.’
‘I hope I get to speak to him tonight,’ Biden said of his 2024 opponent.
Donald Trump Jr has since shared a post of his bloodied father with his fist clenched on X, captioned: ‘He’ll never stop fighting to save America.’
A spokesman added that the GOP 2024 hopeful added that Trump ‘thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.’
A spokesperson for the ATF said agents from the bureau have been deployed to assist with the aftermath of the chaos.
Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., was standing front row at the rally along with Reps. Mike Kelly and GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick.
Meuser said he heard between eight to 10 shots ring out as screams rippled through the crowd, according to Fox News.
He added that it appeared there were multiple people in the crowd may have been impacted by the bullets and the local district attorney confirmed that at least one person is ‘believed to be dead.’
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the shocking scenes in his state.
‘Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,’ Shapiro said on X.
‘It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners.’
An emergency room doctor at the Trump rally revealed how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd after the attempted assassination.
‘I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers begin with. Somebody over there was screaming ‘he’s been shot he’s been shot,” said the man who had blood splattered all over his white USA shirt. ‘So I made my way over. I said I’m an emergency department physician. Let me help you.’
‘The guy had spun around was jammed between the benches and a head shot here. There’s lots of blood and he had brain matter,’ he told CBS News.