An incredible image appears to have captured the bullet used in an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump just centimetres from his head.
Trump was at his last rally before the Republican National Convention starts Monday when apparent gunshots were heard, before the presumptive Republican nominee reached for his right ear and ducked for cover behind the stand.
He was seen being escorted to a car by security personnel with what appeared to be blood on his face.
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Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks and one member of the audience were killed in the incident. Two other rally-goers were seriously injured.
As images of the incident quickly circulated online and around the world, New York Times Photographer, Doug Mills, captured an incredible image which appears to show a bullet whizzing just past Trump’s head.
In an interview with the masthead, Mills said before the assassination attempt it was “a very standard, typical rally”.
“All of a sudden, there was what I thought were three or four loud pops,” he said.
“At first I thought it was a car. The last thing I thought was it was a gun. I kept taking pictures. He went down behind the lectern, and I thought, “Oh my God, something’s happened.”
Meanwhile, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office Kevin Rojek said authorities had not yet identified a motive.
Authorities earlier said it was too early to say whether the shooter acted alone.
“I think it’s too early to say … we have one shooter tentatively identified, but we’re not stopping there,” Rojek said.
“We’re following up on a lot of information.
“It will be some time until we can conclusively say or answer (whether it was a lone wolf attack).”
Police have identified the members of the crowd who were also shot, and are in the process of notifying family members.
Trump said in a statement he felt a bullet “ripping through the skin” in the suspected assassination attempt.
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Trump posted the statement to his social media platform Truth Social.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my 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.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my 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 realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Several hours later, Trump sent an email to his supporters, writing: “This is a message from Donald Trump. I will never surrender.”
The email was accompanied by a portrait of Trump and his signature.
He was filmed by his campaign’s Deputy Director of Communications Margo Martin disembarking a jet in New Jersey.
His ear wasn’t visible in the footage, and he gave only a brief wave as he descended a flight of stairs.
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