Just a nick! Trump survives assassination bid at rally

Washington: Donald Trump survived an attempt on his life when a young gunman fired multiple shots at the former US president at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring his right ear, an incident that could dramatically change the already volatile political scene ahead of the highstakes presidential election.

Trump, 78, was addressing his supporters at the packed outdoor election rally in Butler town on Saturday when bullets started flying.

Video footage showed him grabbing his ear as shots were fired. Trump was seen with blood on his ear and cheek as he was rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents.

The crowd started screaming behind him and then someone yelled “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as Secret Service agents piled on top of Trump to shield him.

The shooting created chaos with people in the back of the venue immediately running to the exits. As he was being rushed off the stage, a defiant Trump boldly pumped his fist into the air and told the crowd to “fight!” He was then whisked away in a car to a Pittsburgh-area hospital.

“Let me get my shoes,” Trump said as he was escorted to the safe place. The shooting, which left one spectator dead and two others critically injured, is being investigated as an attempted assassination.

The male attacker was also shot and killed by a member of the Secret Service. A spokesperson for the Trump Campaign said the former president is “fine” after the “heinous act.”

Though Trump received only minor injuries, it was a close shave - a photograph by Doug Mills of the New York Times appears to show the streak of a bullet cutting through the air near the former president's head.

“It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump said of the shooting incident in a social media post on Sunday.

He said he would remain “resilient” and added, “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.”

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win,” he said.

“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin,” indicating that he is going to attend the three-day Republican Party convention from Monday which will nominate him as the party's candidate in the November 5 presidential election.

In a post on his Truth Social social media account soon after the incident, Trump elaborated on what happened and described his injuries: "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. 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 realised then what was happening," Trump wrote.

The incident threatens to further complicate an already tough presidential race and inflame rhetoric, just 115 days before the presidential election.

At a news conference, Kevin Rojek, FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, said it was “surprising” the gunman was able to fire multiple shots.

“This evening, we had what we're calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump,” said Rojek.

Shooter a 20-year-old Republican

The gunman was identified by the FBI as 20-yearold Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park. He was registered to vote as a Republican.

He fired at Trump from between 200ft and 300ft away on an elevated position with an ARstyle assault rifle.

Bomb material at home of shooter

Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that bomb-making material were found inside the vehicle of the man suspected in the Trump rally shooting.

There were also bomb-making material found at his home. The two officials were not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP)