'I'm not supposed to be here tonight': Trump recalls rally attack in RNC speech

For the first time since his Pennsylvania rally , Donald Trump shared the details of the gruesome shooting to Republican National Convention attendees, noting that they will never hear it from him a second time because “it’s too painful to tell.”

“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said. “As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life.”

The GOP nominee vividly described hearing a “loud whizzing sound” and feeling an impact while discussing immigration at the campaign rally last weekend.

“I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet,’ and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down,” he said. “My hand was covered with blood, just absolutely blood all over the place.”

In addition to sharing his initial reaction, the former president praised the Secret Service agents who intervened after the gunman opened fire, calling them “very brave.”

“These are great people at great risk. They pounced on top of me so that I would be protected. There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” Trump said.

The assassination attempt occurred when a gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks , opened fire at Trump’s rally just outside of Pittsburgh. Trump sustained an injury to his right ear, a spectator was killed, and two others were seriously injured. The gunman, positioned on a rooftop, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.

Ultimately, Trump’s speech struck a tone of unity in line with that of the convention.

“Despite such a heinous attack, we unite this evening more determined than ever. Our resolve is unbroken, and our purpose is unchanged — to deliver a government that serves the American people.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'I'm not supposed to be here tonight': Trump recalls rally attack in RNC speech