Former American President, Donald Trump has escaped assassination in rally shooting.
He was left with a bullet would to his ear in an unfortunate attack that left a spectator and the lone gunman dead, while two other people were critically injured.
The assassination attempt took place early Saturday evening as the former president was giving a speech to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Secret Service said in a statement that the suspect “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents.
According to reports, the former president ducked to the floor as shots rang out and was mobbed by Secret Service agents.
Trump was mobbed by Secret Service seeking to shield him and as he was bundled off stage to a waiting armoured vehicle with a bloodied ear, he pumped his fist in the air in a show of defiance and shouted “fight” as the cheering audience chanted “USA”.
The sniper, who was killed by security forces, has been identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
20-year-old Crooks, 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, Trump 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,” 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.”
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country,” Trump said while extending his condolences to families of victims of the attack.
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