A suspected assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the country.
In Butler, Pennsylvania , where the former president was rallying supporters, tragedy struck when a shooter opened fire, killing a rallygoer and injuring another. The former president was shot in the 'upper part' of his ear and left with blood streaming down his face.
Secret Service members raced onto the stage and smothered the former President as nearby snipers fired back at the gunman.
Law enforcement officials are investigating the incident at the rally as an attempted hit on the presumptive Republican nominee.
Here's what we know about everything that happened this Saturday in Butler, PA, where the former President was grazed by gunfire.
The moment gunshots rang out at the rally
The rally took a dramatic turn as Trump presented a border crossing statistics chart. A loud pop interrupted the event, prompting Trump to instinctively raise his hand to his ear.
The details remain unclear, including whether Trump was hit by gunfire or hurt during the swift action taken by his security detail.
In the ensuing panic, Trump was seen ducking for cover while Secret Service agents swarmed the stage amidst screams from the crowd. Gunfire-like sounds persisted even as agents attended to Trump on stage.
As he was escorted away, Trump defiantly clenched his fist towards the audience, eliciting chants of "USA! " from his supporters. Police swiftly cleared the fairgrounds after Trump was taken offstage.
In a statement from Trump's campaign, they reiterated that the former president was "fine" after the alarming incident at the Butler rally, which was disrupted by what seemed to be gunshots.
"President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act," spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. "He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
The shooter was taken out immediately
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, an AP source says.
Chilling footage showed how snipers immediately reacted to the shot and were able to take out the gunman, who was on a rooftop.
Who was the shooter?
CNN is reporting that investigators now know the identity of the person who fired shots into the Donald Trump rally - apparently hitting the former president in the ear.
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who is noted as a registered Republican. However, police have not announced a motive. The FBI has launched an investigation, now bringing dogs to the alleged shooter's home. This is routine, in case of 'booby traps.' The shooter was killed on-site.
Sources claim that they saw a man standing with a rifle pointed at the politician moments before the shots rang out. The suspected shooter, who was neutralized at the scene, was allegedly seen with a rifle pointed directly at the Presidential nominee for "two to three minutes" before the bullets were fired.
FBI is on scene, investigating this as an 'assassination attempt'
The shooting at former President Trump's rally in Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was sitting in the front row, told Politico that it appeared someone behind him was shot.
"All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot," McCormick said. "There's lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump."
The FBI says it will be the lead law enforcement agency investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The bureau says it will be working with the Secret Service and local and state law enforcement.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has said the ATF, the US attorney’s office in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Justice Department’s national security division are also investigating.
President Joe Biden reacts with concern
In a somber televised address, President Joe Biden urged the nation to "everybody must condemn" the attack and expressed relief that Trump is "doing well." He revealed his campaign halts all communications with supporters and swiftly removes television ads.
Biden discussed his attempts to contact Trump during a news conference, stating, "It's sick. It's sick."
Biden is holding off on labeling the incident an attempted assassination until he has more details, admitting to reporters, "I have an opinion, but I don't have any facts," while promising further updates.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed to CNN the death of one spectator, with another in serious condition at a hospital.
The White House said President Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening. No further details were provided on the call. Biden will convene a briefing with Homeland Security and law enforcement officials at the White House on Sunday morning.
Trump says he's 'fine' and gets busy on Truth Social
Trump's reaction: Trump says he was "shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear."
He writes on his Truth Social site that he, "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!"
Trump, in his social media post, also thanked the U.S. Secret Service and law endorsement for their "rapid response" and also extended his 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 said.
Trump's children, and politicians, react
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said he spoke to his father on the phone and he's in great spirits. "He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him," Trump Jr. said in a statement.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been briefed on the situation and condemned the incident, saying that "violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable."
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo of Trump, his first raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: "He'll never stop fighting to Save America " on the social platform X.
Elon Musk, the owner of social platform X, posted a video of Trump surrounded by his security detail and stated, "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery."
Senators Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Marco Rubio of Florida, and JD Vance of Ohio, all potential VP picks, swiftly issued statements expressing their concern for the former president.
Rubio shared a photo of Trump being led off stage with his fist raised and a smear of blood on his face, captioning it, "God protected President Trump."
Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, expressed her gratitude to those sending love and prayers for her father and the other victims of the day's violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. In a post on X, she thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift action, adding that she continues to pray for the country.
She concluded her post with a heartfelt message to her father, saying, "I love you Dad, today and always."
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