Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been shot and injured in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally, which led to the death of a spectator and the gunman.
Trump escaped but with a bullet wound to his ear in the attack, which happened early on Saturday evening as he was addressing supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump was seen ducking to the ground as a series of shots rang out and people screamed.
He was immediately surrounded by Secret Service agents seeking to shield him and as he was bundled off stage with a bleeding ear, Trump, in a show of defiance pumped his fist in the air and shouted “fight” as the cheering audience chanted “USA”.
The attacker was identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks and the Secret Service confirmed that he fired “multiple shots” from an “elevated position”.
Crooks, who was killed by police snipers, was a registered Republican, according to state records.
Two other men also got critically injured, according to a news report.
Speaking later on the incident, Trump 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 posted on social media.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response,” Trump further stated.
“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.”
The Secret Service said Trump was safe and that the incident was being treated as an assassination attempt.
“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” said Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Hours after the assassination attempt, Trump was pictured giving a brief wave as he left his plane in Newark, New Jersey.
President Joe Biden has spoken to Trump and condemned the shooting, saying there was “no place in America for this kind of violence”.
Addressing the nation he said: “It’s sick. Sick.
“We cannot allow for this to be happening.”
Former president Barack Obama also posted his reaction 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.”
The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Nentayahu are among world leaders that have so far reacted to the incident.
Source: Sky News
