Moment Secret Service snipers shoot gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump

Former US president Donald Trump was the target of what appeared to be an assassination attempt yesterday (13 July) while he was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump was on stage lecturing a crowd of people when a number of loud noises were heard.

Secret Service agents got over to Trump and got him down to the ground while he clutched his ear and there appeared to be blood.

As his security detail rushed him away, he raised his fist to the rally.

Writing on his Truth Social website, Trump later said: "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."

The FBI have identified the alleged shooter as 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident Thomas Matthew Crooks, and say that their investigation is ongoing.

According to the New York Post, Crooks was registered as a member of the Republican party, as per state records.

Footage of the rally shows the moment that Secret Service agents opened fire on the gunman, mere moments after the first sounds of gunshots could be heard.

They said the shooter had taken up 'an elevated position outside of the rally venue'.

According to authorities, one person attending the rally was killed and two other spectators were injured.

They also said that the gunman was 'neutralised' by agents and an AR-style rifle was recovered from the scene, as per 9 News.

It's the most serious assassination attempt made on a current or former US president since someone shot at Ronald Reagan in 1981.

US president Joe Biden said that 'everyone must condemn' the violence at the Butler rally.

He said: "We cannot allow this to be happening. The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of."

Some of Trump's fellow former presidents have also condemned the violence as Barack Obama said: "There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.

"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."

Meanwhile, George W. Bush called the shooting a 'cowardly attack'.

Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, said it was 'surprising' that the gunman was able to open fire before Secret Service agents managed to shoot him.

At a press conference, Rojek was asked whether law enforcement didn't know the gunman was on the roof he used as a vantage point until he started shooting, with the FBI agent saying 'that is our assessment at this time'.