Washington, 14 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, with footage showing the former US president defiantly raising his fist with blood on his face as he was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents.

The shooting in the town of Butler, north of Pittsburgh, is likely to cause political shockwaves in the United States just months ahead of Trump's rematch with President Joe Biden in November's elections.

A shooter was able to climb onto the roof of a nearby building and fire a number of bullets at Trump with an assault rifle, causing panic to break out in the audience as loud bangs and screams were heard.

One rally attendee was killed and two others seriously injured in the incident, according to the Secret Service.

Trump said on his social media site Truth Social that a bullet had pierced the upper part of his 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," he wrote.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified the suspected shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The man was killed by Secret Service agents moments after he fired at Trump.

The man's motive for the shooting is not yet clear, with the FBI's investigation ongoing.

Nevertheless, the attack is being treated as an "assassination attempt," the FBI said in a press conference.

"This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former president Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene," said Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office.

Secret Service kills shooter

US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that agents killed the shooter in a statement.

"A suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue," Guglielmi said.

"U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased."

Agents had "quickly responded with protective measures" and Trump was safe, Guglielmi said.

He said the incident was under investigation and the Secret Service had notified the FBI.

Biden and US leaders condemn political violence

Trump is campaigning to return to the White House in November's presidential election against President Joe Biden.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on Saturday's incident, the White House said.

Biden said there was no place in America for political violence. "We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this," he said.

"The idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody must condemn it."

The Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said he has also been briefed about the incident.

"This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned," he wrote on X.

Former US president Barack Obama said there was "absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy," in a post on X.

"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."

Republican National Convention going ahead

Trump was looking forward to the Republican National Convention next week despite the apparent shooting, his advisors said.

The Republican National Convention (RNC), where Trump is set to be officially nominated as the party's candidate for the presidential election, is due to begin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Monday.

A statement from the Trump campaign and the RNC said Trump was doing well following Saturday's incident.

"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," the statement said.

"As our party's nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again."

Photo: EPA