Donald Trump rushed off stage with bloodied ear after shots fired at rally
Former US President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service after a shooting at a rally in the swing state of Pennsylvania on Saturday, in an attack that left him bloodied and the alleged shooter and one attendee dead.
The presumptive Republican nominee fell to the ground moments after starting his speech, clutching his ear, and was quickly surrounded by security agents.
Footage of the incident appeared to show a Secret Service agent saying "shooter is down".
Trump then proceeded to stand up, with a bloodied ear and blood smeared on his cheek, and told his supporters to "fight" as he pumped his fist to the crowd before he was rushed off stage.
The US Secret Service later said that Trump was safe, whilst his campaign team said he was being treated at a "local medical facility".
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"The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a social media post.
"This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available."
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign's communications director, said: "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility."
John Yeykal, an eyewitness, told the AFP news agency that he saw "a lot of people go down, looking confused. I heard the shots, it sounded like between firecrackers and a small calibre handgun."
Meanwhile, Greg, an eyewitness, told BBC News that he heard five shots that came from the direction of a roof near the rally where a man was apparently holding a rifle.
When asked what happened to the shooter, Greg said that secret service agents "blew his head off".
Later, Butler county district attorney Richard A Goldinger told the Associated Press that the shooter and an attendee were killed in the attack.
Trump rallies are usually subject to airport-style security, run by the Secret Service in conjunction with local authorities.
Nearly 90 minutes after the attack, US President Joe Biden said he was "grateful" that Trump was safe.
"I'm grateful to hear that he's safe and doing well," Biden said in a statement. "I'm praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.
"Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," the statement added.
Several world leaders posted messages of support for Trump, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he was "shocked" by the attack.
"Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery," Netanyahu said in a post on X, formerly known Twitter.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also took to X and wrote: "God Bless Trump."
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