Shooting at Donald Trump rally being investigated as assassination attempt

One audience member is dead and two others are in critical condition after a gunman fired multiple shots during a Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Former US President Donald Trump was shot in the ear mid-speech at an event in Butler at 6.10pm on Saturday (local time).

He was whisked off stage bloodied and shuffled into a security by Secret Service agents in what law enforcement is treating as an attempted assassination.

The Secret Service said the shooter fired from "an elevated position outside the rally venue".

As multiple shots were fired from the stage one bullet fatally struck an attendee in the head, and two other attendees were critically wounded.

Agents "neutralised" the shooter, who is now also dead. The agency repeated that Trump is "safe" and is being evaluated.

Donald Trump later took his platform Truth Social to confirm a bullet had pierced the upper part of his 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." the former president wrote.

"Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening."

Vision shows the former president cowering to the ground before getting to his feet.

Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people and bangs continued as Secret Service agents tended to him on stage.

Trump appeared bloody with his right fist raised in the air before he was shuffled into a security car.

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.

A spokesman for Trump, Steven Cheung, had earlier released a statement saying Trump was "fine".

"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act," the statement reads.

"He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."

As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard.

Trump said, "Oh," and put his right hand up to his right ear as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked. Two more pops could be quickly heard and he crouched down.

Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump's lectern, "Get down, get down, get down, get down!" as agents tackled the former president.

They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.

Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage in what local officers described as a crime scene.

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President Joe Biden addressed the incident in a press conference, describing it as "sick".

"There's no place in America for this kind of violence," he said.

"It's one of the reasons why we have to unite this country.

"We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this."

Biden said he was yet to speak with the Trump but said he understands he's "doing well".

The president fell short of deeming the shooting an assassination "until we have all the facts".

"I have an opinion, but I don't have any facts," he said.

Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement this morning describing the incident as "confronting".

"The incident at former President Trump's campaign event in Pennsylvania today is concerning and confronting," Albanese said.

"There is no place for violence in the democratic process.

"I am relieved to hear reports that former President Trump is now safe."

Chief of communications for the Secret Service said active protective measures were in place and investigation into the shooting is underway.

"The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe," Anthony Guglielmi said in a X post.

"This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available."

More to come.

With Associated Press, CNN

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