Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, reported the New York Times.

Tragically, one attendee lost their life, and two others were seriously injured.

Trump reported sustaining a gunshot wound to the ear, and his campaign confirmed he received medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Authorities confirmed the suspected shooter had been killed.

The former president, his face smeared with blood, was swiftly escorted off the stage in Butler County in Pennsylvania when several gunshots were heard around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, causing screams among the crowd.

According to a statement by Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, a suspect had fired shots "toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue."

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, speaking on CNN, also confirmed that the suspected shooter "was located outside the event grounds." Authorities have not disclosed the identity or motive of the shooter, and investigations are being conducted by the FBI and Secret Service.

Trump used social media to express gratitude to law enforcement, offer condolences to the families of those killed and injured at the rally, and provide his personal recollection of the incident.

“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,” the former president said in the post.

“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!”

Eyewitnesses account of what happened

During the first moments of his campaign speech, gunfire erupted, prompting Trump to instinctively place his hand on his right ear. Secret Service agents swiftly moved toward him, instructing him to take cover on the ground.

After approximately a minute, surrounded by agents, Trump rose to his feet with their support, visibly injured and bloodied on his face.

Dave McCormick, the Republican Senate nominee from Pennsylvania, who was seated in the front row at the rally, recalled the sudden outbreak of gunfire: "Suddenly, shots rang out behind me, and it seems someone was hit. There was a lot of blood, and then the Secret Service quickly intervened to protect President Trump."

"As they departed, he raised his fist defiantly," McCormick told Politico.

Photographers captured the moment, which was swiftly amplified by Republican supporters on social media, as Trump was escorted off the stage and driven away in an SUV.

"I witnessed him standing firm and raising his fist," remarked Jondavid Longo, the Republican mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, who was also present at the rally. "He's a tough guy, no doubt about it."

Authorities withheld the identities of the shooting victims Saturday evening.

However, Republican congressman Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) disclosed to Fox News that his nephew was among them. Jackson reported that his nephew had been in the "line of fire" behind Trump and sustained a graze wound to the neck: "A bullet grazed his neck, causing bleeding."

Leaders from various political backgrounds swiftly denounced political violence in response to the incident.

"There is no room for such violence in America. We must come together as a nation to unequivocally condemn it," stated President Joe Biden in a written statement. Later, he briefly addressed the media, saying, "Let me be clear: there is no place in America for this kind of violence. It's reprehensible."

The White House announced Saturday evening that Biden had conversed with Trump and received updates from law enforcement.

In a statement, Donald Trump Jr. conveyed that his father "is in high spirits." Ivanka Trump expressed gratitude on social media for the "outpouring of love and prayers for my father and the other victims of today's tragic violence."

The campaign issued a statement reaffirming that Trump "anticipates joining everyone in Milwaukee" for the Republican National Convention beginning Monday.

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