Attempted Assassination at Trump Rally: Former President Injured, Spectator and Gunman Dead

Donald Trump has been shot and injured in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally, which saw a spectator and the gunman killed.

The former president escaped with a bullet wound to his ear in the attack, which happened early on Saturday evening as the former president was giving a speech to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Shooting latest: Trump releases statement after assassination attempt

Mr Trump was seen ducking to the ground as a series of shots rang out and people screamed in panic.

He was mobbed by Secret Service seeking to shield him and as he was bundled off stage to a waiting armored vehicle with a bloodied ear, Mr Trump pumped his fist in the air in a show of defiance and shouted “fight” as the cheering audience chanted “USA”.

As well as one person in the crowd being killed, two people were critically injured after the gunman fired “multiple shots” from an “elevated position” from outside the rally venue, said the Secret Service.

The FBI has named the attacker – shot dead by security forces – as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who according to state records was a registered Republican.

Footage at the scene showed a white-roofed building, about 150m from where Mr Trump was speaking, with a body and a rifle on top.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear”.

He said: “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.”

He added: “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response.”

Extending condolences to the families of the other casualties, he said: “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”
After being checked over at a local medical facility Mr Trump flew back to New Jersey where he was pictured giving a brief wave as he left his plane. His eldest son Donald Trump Jr said his father “is in great spirits”.

President Joe Biden,who spoke to his White House rival following the attack, condemned the shooting and said there was “no place in America for this kind of violence”.