Former US president Donald Trump injured in Pennsylvania 'assassination attempt'

During a campaign rally on Saturday, Donald Trump was shot in the ear, causing blood to streak across his face and prompting a rapid response from his security team. 

The shooter was killed on the spot, one rally attendee lost their life, and two other spectators were injured, according to the Secret Service. The incident is being investigated as an assassination attempt, a source told Reuters.

The 78-year-old Trump had just started his speech when the shots were fired. He initially grabbed his right ear, looked at his hand, and then dropped to his knees behind the podium as Secret Service agents quickly surrounded him. Moments later, he stood up without his red "Make America Great Again" hat and was heard saying "wait, wait" before being ushered into a vehicle.

“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform, describing significant bleeding.

The shooter’s identity and motive remain unclear. Politicians from both parties swiftly condemned the violence. The Trump campaign reported that he was "doing well," and Bloomberg confirmed his release from the hospital.

The shooting occurred less than four months before the November 5 election, in which Trump faces a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Opinion polls indicate a close race.

President Biden released a statement condemning the violence and calling for national unity. He also spoke with Trump following the incident, as confirmed by a White House official.

Republican Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas revealed that his nephew was wounded at the rally. The shooting has raised questions about potential security lapses by the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting former presidents like Trump.

Witness Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, described the scene: “I heard about four shots and saw the crowd drop, and then Donald Trump ducked quickly. The Secret Service immediately jumped in to protect him. Within seconds, they had surrounded him.”

Moose added that he saw a man running and being pursued by officers in military uniforms. He heard additional shots but was unsure who fired them. By then, snipers had positioned themselves on a nearby warehouse roof.

A BBC interview with an eyewitness described seeing a man with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The witness and others tried to alert security by pointing at the man. The shots seemed to originate from outside the secured area, according to the Secret Service. The FBI has taken over the investigation.