Donald Trump shooting: Gunman pictured for first time after assassination attempt

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump by telephone, a spokesperson for the prime minister has said.

The PM spoke to Mr Trump on Sunday afternoon to condemn the violence and express his condolences to the victims and their families.

Sir Keir wished Mr Trump a quick recovery along with the injured.

Donald Trump is making his way to Newark Airport after leaving his home in Bedminster under tight security less than 24 hours after the apparent assignation attempt, according to reports.

Footage shared on X by US journalist Kemberly Richardson shows Mr Trump's motorcade travelling en route to the airport.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has said officials will leave no stone unturned in their investigation into the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Mr Wray told reporters the shooting was an attack on democracy and the democratic process. He said: "An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate can only be described as absolutely despicable and will not be tolerated in this country."

The FBI has confirmed it believes the AR-style rifle the Trump rally shooter used was legally purchased by the gunman’s father. Kevin Rojek, a special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office, told reporters the authorities don’t yet know how the shooter gained access to the weapon or whether he took it without his father’s knowledge.

Authorities recovered the weapon at the scene of the shooting.

The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the shooting as an attempted assassination and an act of domestic terrorism.

The gunman was not previously on the radar screen of the FBI and is believed to have acted alone.

FBI officers are combing through the gunman's social media feeds, but have not found any threatening messages or social media posts.

They said they have located a suspicious device and defused it.

Pennsylvania state police has said two victims who were injured in the attack yesterday are no longer fighting for their lives.

The force said the two people, who were earlier reported to be in a critical condition, were now in a stable condition.

President Joe Biden has said he’s directed an independent review of the security at the rally.

Mr Biden said he has also directed the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention which begins on Monday in Milwaukee.

He urged Americans not to make assumptions about the motive of the shooter, who was killed by the Secret Service. He said they’re working swiftly to investigate the incident.

The president added unity is the most elusive goal of all and urged the public to strive for it.

Donald Trump was pictured with a bandage on his ear after being shot at during the rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Mr Trump, 78, was seen exiting a private jet in New Jersey hours after the assassination attempt.

Republican Mark E. Green, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, has sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, to demand answers about the shooting and information about the former president’s Secret Service protection.

Mr Green wrote: "The seriousness of this security failure and chilling moment in our nation’s history cannot be understated".

The chairman said there were serious questions about how the shooter was able to access a rooftop within range and direct line of sight of where President Trump was speaking.

He also raised reports the Secret Service had rebuffed requests from the Trump campaign for extra security.

A spokesperson for the Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, said on social media that those allegations were "absolutely false" and they had added resources and technology as the campaign’s travel increased.

The committee is demanding that the department turn over information including documents showing the security plan for Saturday’s event; any information about increases to Trump’s security detail and about how attendees were screened for the Saturday rally; documents outlining the Secret Service’s rules of engagement and all briefing materials from after the shooting.

The man who was killed at the rally has been named as Corey Comperatore, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has said.

Mr Comperatore was a former fire chief from the area who loved his family, according to Mr Shapiro.

He said: "Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night."

In an appearance on the Today show, the Republican said it’s time "to turn the temperature down" in the US.

Mr Johnson also singled out for blame the media, President Joe Biden and Hollywood elites, who he said are culpable for the charged atmosphere and suggested no figure in American history since Abraham Lincoln has been as vilified as Donald Trump.

He said: "When the message goes out constantly, that the election of Donald Trump would be a threat to democracy and that the Republic would end, it heats up the environment. We cannot do that. It’s simply not true. Everyone needs to turn the rhetoric down."

Mr Johnson specifically pointed to recent comments by Mr Biden during a recent call with political donors in which the president said: "It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye,"

He said he knew Mr Biden didn’t literally mean Mr Trump should be targeted, but added that kind of language on either side should be called out.

The House Speaker said: "We can have vigorous debate, but it needs to end there."

The first image has emerged of the suspected shooter.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is believed to be the man who opened fire at the rally on Saturday.

Law enforcement officials have told The Associated Press bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle of the man suspected of being the shooter in the Trump rally shooting. There were also bomb-making materials found at his home.

The two officials were not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

John Bolton, a former National Security Advisor of Donald Trump's, has said the attempted assassination attempt on the former US president will have secured his victory in the presidential election.

Mr Bolton told Sky News: "I think the effect on the Republican Party when the Convention begins in Milwauke tomorrow will be electric and his appearance to accept the party's nomination on Thursday will be even more electric compared to the confusion and disarray in the Democratic Party. I'm not sure they'll replace Biden on the ballot now. I'm not sure there's anyone in the Democratic Party who wants to step forward and say they'll be the nominee."

Asked if he thought Mr Trump had already won the election, Mr Bolton said: "Exactly. The impression the people have - you could see it in the crowd's reaction when Trump was on his feet and raised his fist - and the crowd began chanting not a partisan or political slogan, but began chanting, 'USA, USA'... I think it's the kind of event that changes the mood in the country. I think now the biggest political question is how many additional Senate and House seats Republicans will pick up if Democrats stay home or if Biden loses in more battleground states where there are key Congressional elections as well."

Mrs Trump wrote: "I am thinking of you, now, my fellow Americans. We have always been a unique union. America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one.

"When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.

"To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me.

"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music and inspiration. The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.

"Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy and political games are inferior to love. Our personal, structural, and life commitment - until death - is at serious risk. Political concepts are simple compared to us, human beings.

"We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another. American politics are only one vehicle that can uplift our communities. Love, compassion, kindess and empathy are necessities.

"And let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in the earthly realm.

"Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now.

"This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. We all want a world where respect is paramount, family is first, and love transcends. We can realize this world again. Each of us must demand to get it back. We must insist that respect fills the cornerstone of our relationships, again.

"I am thinking of you my fellow Americans.

"The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family."

Melania Trump has issued a statement on social media, calling for unity and describing the suspected shooter of her husband as a "monster".

Security checks are being made at the Republican National Convention, which starts in Milwaukee on Monday, in the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley has told Fox News 40 law enforcement agencies are working together.

He said: "We feel very comfortable that we're working with the Secret Service, we're working with 40 different law enforcement agencies in terms of what that security is going to look like."

Mr Trump is due to be officially nominated by the Republicans as the party's presidentital candidate at the convention. Mr Trump's running mate is also set to be revealed at the gathering of thousands of Republicans.

The Kremlin has said Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans at present to call Trump

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov added: "We do not at all think or believe that the attempt to eliminate presidential candidate Trump was organised by the current government, but the atmosphere that this administration created during the political struggle, the atmosphere around candidate Trump, provoked what America is faced with today."

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, wrote on her Telegram channel that US lawmakers should use the money they employ to supply weapons to Ukraine "to finance the American police and other services which should ensure law and order within the United States".

The shooter failed his assassination attempt by an inch - now we have to ask who is to blame for this, says Dr Sebastian Gorka.

Donald Trump narrowly avoided an attempt on his life on Saturday, as shots rang out at a rally he was holding in Pennsylvania.

Blood streamed from the former President's right ear following the incident, in which one person died and two others were hospitalised in a critical condition.

But the horrific attack on the Republican presumptive nominee is just the latest in a long history of near-miss moments involving major public figures and world leaders.

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Crooks' political leanings were not immediately clear. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he gave $15 to a progressive political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden was sworn in to office.

Public Pennsylvania court records show no past criminal cases against Crooks.

Investigators believe the weapon was bought by the father at least six months ago, two law enforcement officials have said.

The officials said federal agents were still working to understand when and how Thomas Crooks obtained the gun.

The officials were not authorised to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The father of the man who tried to kill Donald Trump has broken his silence.

Trump was targeted by a sniper while delivering a speech at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. A bullet grazed his right ear causing him to abruptly stop speaking and reach for his face before ducking for cover.

The crowd was thrown into chaos as loud bangs echoed around and blood could be seen trickling down the 78-year-old's face.

Additional shots were fired to "neutralize" the attacker, resulting in one death and two critical injuries among the attendees.

Crooks' father, Matthew Crooks, 53, said to CNN he is trying to figure out “what the hell is going on,” adding that he would “wait until I talk to law enforcement” before saying anymore.

A GoFundMe page set up by Meredith O'Rourke, the Trump campaign's national finance director Meredith O'Rourke has raised more than £250,000.

As well as the gunman, named by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was shot dead, another person was killed and two more injured.

One adult male was killed while standing in the audience, saied Michael T Slupe, the Butler County sheriff.

Two other people, also confirmed by authorities as men, were critically injured. Details have yet to be released.

More than $340,000 (£267,000) has been raised so far.

An incredible photograph has shown the precise moment a bullet flies past Donald Trump’s head as he addresses a rally in Pennsylvania.

The 77-year-old is apparently oblivious as he gestures during his speech.

Writing on his Truth Social platform later, he said he only survived by a “miracle” and thanked God.

Piers Morgan was among those who shared the photograph, taken by New York Times photographer Doug Mills, on Twitter.

Morgan himself commented: "Astounding photo captured by @nytimes photographer Doug Mills, showing a bullet flashing past President Trump. He came so close to being killed."

Disturbing images from the deadly shooting at former president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday show blood on bleachers as a victim was carried away from the scene.

Video from the incident shows the victim being given CPR and carried off the bleachers, while other crowd members watched in shock.

One rally attendee was killed, more spectators were injured, and the suspected gunman is also dead.

Donald Trump claimed he only survived thanks to "God alone" as he issued a new statement after the attempt on his life.

Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.

"We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed," he said.

He added that it was more important now than ever "that we stand United".

He concluded: "I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

Audio recordings have painted a vivid picture of the shambolic scene after a gunman opened fire on US President Donald Trump at a rally last night.

The transcript, shared by CNN, reveals one agent said: "Get down, get down, get down" as shots ring out.

After being told the shooter is down, Mr Trump says: “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes.”

An agent says: “I got you sir, I got you sir" and Mr Trump once again asks for his footwear at least twice more.

The Secret Service, the US Government agency specifically talking with protecting Presidents and former Presidents, is guilty of a “spectacular” failure, security expert Frank Gardner has claimed.

Mr Gardner was speaking after Mr Trump was slightly injured after a gunman on a nearby rooftop opened fire, hitting three other people, one of whom has died. The attacker, later named by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was then shot by snipers.

Mr Gardner, told the BBC: “The FBI may be leading the investigation into how this could have happened, but the finger of blame points clearly at the Secret Service.

“They have one job – to protect America’s presidents, both current and former – and in that they failed spectacularly last night.”

It had been 43 years since the last assassination attempt on a serving US president, when Ronald Reagan was shot in the lung but survived.

Senate Republican candidate Dave McCormick told CNN he was sitting in the front row and saw the “immediate attack on the president” and a person behind him who seemed to be severely injured.

Mr McCormick said he heard “a series of shots – about seven or eight shots – just ‘pop, pop, pop'".

He added: “It was all of a sudden just chaos. The Secret Service immediately covered the president, jumped on top of him, and the crowd immediately went to the ground.

“It was clear that somebody had been hit.”

People around the man were trying to provide first aid, with it taking for medical assistance to arrive.

He added: "You can imagine with that kind of incident happening, it’s very hard to know what’s coming. … It seemed like the shots were coming from my front – so the president’s left – which makes sense why the person behind me was hit.

"But I’m not sure if there were also shots coming from the other direction, so as you might imagine it was chaotic and confusing in the moment."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he will travel to the United States for the 2024 Republican National Convention as a "show of friendly solidarity" with Donald Trump.

Mr Farage said he "almost certainly would have been" at Saturday's rally in Pennsylvania if he had not won his Clacton seat at the General Election.

He told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: "It's the convention next week and I have now decided I will fly out and see him next Thursday and listen to his acceptance speech.

"I will absolutely do that as a show of friendly solidarity. Donald Trump is not perfect, but some of the things that are allowed to be said about him are frankly appalling."

Mr Farage said he had a drink thrown at him "as recently as last Wednesday", adding on the safety of MPs: "I find it astonishing that Members of Parliament can walk out across the square and get on the London Underground, I find it astonishing that, frankly, more MPs aren't attacked.

"That is how unpleasant so much of the narrative is. It's become deeply personal and I'm afraid - and a lot of the public hate this - but if you want people to stand for public office, we're going to have to protect them properly."

The gunman was 130 metres from Donald Trump when he opened fire, apparently with an assault rifle.

The shooter was on top of a building opposite the stage in Butler where Mr Trump was addressing a rally of supporters.

US Government snipers on a building to Mr Trump's right then opened fire, killing the would-be assassin.

Rishi Sunak said he was "horrified by the attack in Pennsylvania".

The Conservative leader and former PM also wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "In a democracy, you must be able to speak freely and stand for what you believe in. Violence and intimidation must never be allowed to prevail.

"My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and the victims of this appalling attack."

In an incident that has shocked the world, former US President Donald Trump was shot in the ear while addressing supporters at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

It is the first assassination attempt on a presidential candidate since the shooting of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

The chaos unfolded just six minutes into Trump's speech in Butler when he suddenly stopped speaking, clutched his face, and dropped to the ground amidst loud bangs, sending the crowd into a panic.

Dramatic footage from the scene shows the 78-year-old being swiftly protected by Secret Service agents as he grasped his right ear and crouched behind the lectern. Blood could be seen streaming from his ear as additional shots were fired to "neutralise" the attacker.

Dramatic footage shared by the BBC has appeared to show a man crawling on a roof holding a gun seconds before shots ring out.

One voice is heard to shout: "He's got a gun" while others scream.

Shortly afterwards the same voice says: "He's down."

The camera then pans up to an image of the same man which has been blurred, apparently having been shot dead.

Donald Trump would almost certainly be dead had the bullet which struck his ear been one inch to the left, an adviser to the former President has claimed.

Speaking to the BBC, Stephen Moore said: "I got a text from one of my associates saying that Trump had been shot and my heart just sank, and I was afraid to ask the question ‘is he going to be alright?’

"It appeared from the video that he’d only been grazed by this bullet but what’s so frightening to all of us is that if that bullet had been one inch further towards his head this would have been an assassination."

"Certainly Trump needs more protection - there’s a lot of inquiry now about whether the Secret Service was totally prepared".

Nigel Farage has said he is “very upset” but “not shocked” following the attempted assassination on Donald Trump.

When asked how he felt when he heard about the incident, the Reform UK leader said “I was very upset and I’m still upset.

A gunman "pierced" the former US President's ear and killed an attendee of a rally in Pennsylvania.

The suspected shooter was killed while the Secret Service confirmed two others had been “critically injured”.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: "Political violence is wrong.

"I am shocked to wake up to these awful scenes from Pennsylvania and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.

"We must all condemn this appalling attempt on Donald Trump's life."

The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox called for a "consensus against political violence in all forms" after the shooting at a rally for former US president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.

Brendan Cox, whose wife Ms Cox was killed by a far-right extremist in 2016, posted to X, questioning Mr Trump's own behaviour towards political opponents.

"We need a consensus against political violence in all forms."

Boris Johnson, the former UK Prime Minister whose time in office overlapped with that of the 77-year-old's term in the White House, said it was "a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination".

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the former Conservative prime minister added: "As we give thanks for his safety we are reminded once again of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason.

"Our thoughts are with the president and the Trump family."

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also condemned the attempted shooting of Donald Trump.

Posting on X, he said: "The attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump is despicable. I wish him a speedy recovery.

"My thoughts are also with those who were affected by the attack. Such acts of violence threaten democracy."

Speaking at a hastily convened press conference, Pennsylvania State Police Deputy Commissioner of Operations Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said there was no reason to suspect there was an ongoing threat.

He told reporters: "At this time we have no reason to believe there is any other existing threat out there.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure that this is fully investigated and if there is any information developed that anyone else was involved clearly that would very quickly be followed up on."

Speaking to the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue, rally attendee Greg Smith said the shooter had crawled on top of a building just outside the event in Butler County.

Mr Smith, who said he pointed the gunman out to police, added: "I'm thinking to myself 'Why is Trump still speaking, why have they not pulled him off the stage'... the next thing you know, five shots ring out.

"Why is there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here?

"This is not a big place. "[It's a] security failure, 100 percent security failure."

He continued: "They crawled up on the roof, they had their guns pointed at him, made sure he was dead. He was dead, and that was it - it was over."

Donald Trump was addressing a rally in Butler County in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Butler County is located 35 miles north of Pittsburgh and is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region.

As of the 2020 census, the city of Butler had a population of 13,502.

A suspected would-be assassin shot has been shot dead by the Secret Service after firing at former President Donald Trump.

The man has been named by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

One spectator was killed and two others critically injured in the shooting at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with at least shots fired by the gunman.

Mr Trump, who is set to challenge incumbent Joe Biden in November's Presidential election, received hospital treatment but his campaign has said he is "fine".

The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

One picture shared by the Getty picture agency has shown Mr Trump on the floor moments after shots range out in Philadelphia.

The former President is shown with blood running down his face, having apparently been hit in the ear.

He subsequently received hospital treatment but his campaign has said he is "fine".

Emmanuel Macron, France's President, has voiced support for Mr Trump, saying he and his countryman "shared the shock and indignation" of the US people.

Posting on X, Mr Macron said: "My thoughts to President Donald Trump, victim of an assassination attempt, to whom I wish a speedy recovery.

"One activist died, several were injured.

"It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people."

The US Secret Service is investigating how a gunman armed with an AR-style rifle was able to get close enough to shoot and injure Mr Trump at a rally yesterday in Pennsylvania.

The gunman, who was killed by Secret Service personnel, fired multiple shots at the stage from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the agency said.

An Associated Press analysis of more than a dozen videos and photos taken at the Trump rally, as well as satellite imagery of the site, shows the shooter was able to get astonishingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking.

Three other people were hit in the crossfire, one of whom was also killed.

Police have confirmed "complicators" slowed down the identification of the 20-year-old suspected of trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Trump was shot during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday - and says a bullet "ripped" through his ear.

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The injured or killed are "adults" and "male," Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters at a press conference after the shooting.

More to follow...

Read the full statement from Donald Trump's team after the assassination attempt here.

WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT:

Chilling video circulating on social media shows a suspected shooter dead after an attempt was made to assassinate Donald Trump.

A second clip shows a sniper guard shooting back to defend the Republican Presidential candidate.At about 6.15pm local time, gunfire erupted while Trump was in the middle of his speech in Buttler, Pennsylvania.

TO READ THE STORY, CLICK HERE.

Donald Trump is reported to officially have been discharged and left the hopsital after seeking treatment following a bullet grazing him at the top of his right ear.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed that the House will be conducting a full investigation into the events surrounding the shooting.

In a statement posted to X, Johnson said the American people needed answers, and that they will ask members of the Secret Service and the FBI to appear for hearings as soon as possible.

President Joe Biden has made contact with and spoken to Donald Trump after he was shot during a Pennsylvania rally.

No other details of the conversation have been shared, and Biden is expected to address it after a Sunday morning briefing with homeland security and law enforcement officials at the White House.

Speaking with Fox News, Texas Republican Rep Ronny Jackson shred his nephew was in the audience at the Trump rally, and his neck was grazed by a bullet.

"He was grazed in the neck. A bullet crossed his neck — cut his neck and his was bleeding," he said.

Despite originally being scheduled to spend the entire weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Preisdent Joe Biden is now heading back to D.C. tonight as an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Biden initially spoke on camera from Rehoboth, where he said he was trying to get in touch with Trump and denounced the shooting.

'There's no place in America this kind of violence. It's sick. It's sick,' he said.

A new video has emerged on social media that may show the deceased sniper who is the suspect in the alleged attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

The footage shows the body of a man on top of the building where it is believed the shots came from.

Tiffany Trump, the daughtr Donald Trump shares with actress Marla Maples, has released a statement on X.

In her statement she thanked God for her father still being alive and reiterated that "political violence is never the answer."

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has released a statement condemning the shooting.

"I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump's rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack," he wrote on X.

Donald Trump still plans to attend the Republican national Convention this week in Milwaukee, and the event is still expected to proceed as scheduled.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” said Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and co-chair Lara Trump in a statement

The suspect in the shooting has yet to be officially identified, though he had been confirmed to have ben deceased.

It has been confirmed that the suspect is a male.

Law enforcement reportedly recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, after heavy pokice presence was focused at a buolding just outside the venue.

Right wing politicans are starting to blame President Joe Biden and Democrats for the shooting at Trump's rally.

In various statements on social media, Senator JD Vance, on the short list as a Trump running mate, shared that Biden's campaign rhetoric diredtly contributed to the attack.

"The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination," he wrote on X.

Other statements from Rep Mike Collins and House Majority leader Steve Scalise, a fellow shooting victim, also directly blamed the President and his earlier remarks about putting a "bullseye" on Trump, and for pushing a rhetoric that another Trump win would "mean the end of democracy."

Senator Tim Scott blamed Donald Trump's shooting on the left, in an apparent rebuke on President Biden's hesitation to refer to it as an assassination attempt.

"Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse" he wrote on X.

An Eyewitness at the rally who was facing the President said that while Trump was looking at his charts, he turned his head "right in the nick of time" and if he hadn't done so, the bullet may have hit him in the head.

The Secret Service has confirmed that one spectator was killed at the shooting, while two were crticially injured after the shooter fired "multiple shots."

Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the details in a statement.

"US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated," the statement said.

"One spectator was killed, two were critically injured," it added.

His statement did not confirm what the former President said in his Truth Social post.

Ivanka Trump took to X to thank well-wishers for their support after her father's shooting, despite distancing herself from his current campaign for the Presidency.

"Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our country. I love you Dad, today and always," she wrote.

In a fresh statement on the shooting, Donald Trump Jr. revealed he had spoken to his father and said he was in "good spirits"

“He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” he added.

Donald Trump was seen arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport - the first sighting since surviving the assassination attempt.

It is believed he is en route back to his Florida resident, Mar-a-Lago.

Trump is seen walking down the stairs of his private jet following his release from hospital.

Donald Trump has now taken to Truth Social to share his own statement of thanks to Secre Service agents and detail more about the injuries he received during the shooting.

"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead," he wrote.

"I 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

An FBI statement said: "The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania."

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan DA who successfully argued a case that got former Preident Trump convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York, released a statement calling the attack Abhorrent.

“Political violence in any form is abhorrent and unacceptable. I commend the Secret Service on their swift response and my thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family,” he said.

In her own statement, Kamala Harris, who was also in Pennsylvania for her own event, called the shooting "senseless" as she condemned it and expressed releif that Trump was alright.

“Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured,” she wrote. “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.”

In a statement on the 42nd President's X, he and his wife, Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 election, also condemned the violent attack.

"Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service," he wrote.

The blood on Donald Trump's ear after the shooting may have actually been casued by glass fragments from a teleprompter--and not a bullet.

A Pennsylvania police source said they believe Trump was not struck by a bullet, but hit by glass fragments. These may have come from a teleprompter that was hit.

The FBI has arrived on scene in Butler at the site where Donald Trump was shot during a rally.

In a statement, the agency said it "will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward."

In a statement on X, former President Barack Obama, who Trump succeeded in the White House in 2016, made a statement calling for everyone to recommit to "civility and respect" in politics after the violence.

"There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery," he wrote.

Shortly after releasing an official statement on the White House website, President Joe Bidem further condemned the attack on President Donald Trump while stopping short of calling it an assassination attempt in order to get "all the facts."

"There is no place in America for this type of violence. It's sick. The idea that there is political violence or violence in America is just not appropriate, and everybody must condemn it."

He also revealed he plans to call Trump personally.

Nancy Pelosi spoke out against the assassination attempt on Donald Trump by taking to X and briefly recalling the attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, in 2022.

"As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharme," she wrote.

An eyewitness at Donald Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania has claimed that he saw a man crawling up to a roof just before shots rang out at the event and the former President was escorted from the venue.

"He had a rifle, you could clearly see. We were pointing at him and told the police. I'm thinking to myself, 'why is Trump still speaking? Why haven't they pulled him off the stage?'" he said."I'm standing there pointing at him for two to three minutes and next thing you know, five shots ran out."

In a statement posted to the White House website, President Joe Biden condemned the attack on his 2024 rival.

"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania," the statement read.

"I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information," he continued.

"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 concluded.

Just hours before an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, Joe Biden hit out at his promises to the NRA, stating he wanted to ban assault weapons.

"I want to ban assault weapons and reuire universal background checks. Trump promised the NRA that he'd do nothing about guns. And he means it," he wrote.

Biden has yet to address the shooting directly.

Shortly after news broke of Trump being shot, Andrew Tate took to X to urge prayers for Trump.

"I feel to cry. Pray for Trump. Pray for Donald Trump. He’s battling evil," he wrote on the platform. 

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."

He is the only Trump family member to have made a statement so far.

Law enforcement officials say the assailant who opened fire at Trump was a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania.

They have not yet revealed his name, but investigators say he has been "tentatively identified".

Two people are believed to have died at the horrifying Donald Trump rally shooting - including a suspect.

Journalist Mike Valente tweeted: "CONFIRMED: Butler County District Attorney tells me one person is BELIEVED to be dead. Donald Trump is okay, he tells me. No information about the shooter right now."

Trump's campaign said in a statement that he was "fine" after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.

"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act," spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Republican Senator for Ohio, JD Vance, said in a post on the X social media platform: "Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok."

Donald Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence also remarked on the shooting. He wrote on X: " Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us."

Democrat Senate Leader Chuck Schumer said he was "horrified" by the news.

He added: " Political violence has no place in our country."

There were reports of shots being fired at Donald Trump's rally in Bulter County, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Here's what we know so far...

Trump was speaking at the rally when loud noises were heard around 6.13pm local time.

Trump appears to have been hit around his right ear with blood covering part of his head and face.

Trump raised his fist in the air after the incident and appeared to say "fight, fight".

He also appeared to tell the Secret Service to "wait" before they rushed him off stage.

Trump was then escorted off the stage by the Secret Service and into a vehicle.

Trump's team confirmed he was "fine" and was being checked at a medical facility.

The area where the rally was held is now an active crime scene.

Pictures show a bloodied Donald Trump being rushed off stage by Secret Service members.

In the footage from the livestream, a series of loud bangs could be heard before the audience seemingly ducked for cover.

Though Trump was quickly surrounded and whisked to safety by his security team, he appeared to utter the words: "Wait, wait, wait, wait."

The former president then raised a defiant fist to the crowd, presumably to show them he was all right.

"I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery," tech billionaire Elon Musk said in a statement on X.

Donald Trump has said he is "fine" after being rushed off stage covered in blood after being shot at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania.