Trump, 78, was hit by a bullet in the upper part of his right ear when the suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue in Butler on Saturday, the US Secret Service said

The attacker killed one spectator at the rally, and two others were critically injured

Secret Service agents swarmed Trump and ducked behind the podium. Blood could be seen on his right ear of Trump as agents surrounded him and led him off the stage to a waiting vehicle to whisk him away

Trump said, "Let me get my shoes," as he was escorted to the safe place. He was seen pumping his fist to the shocked supporters

The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination

"US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. The US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe," Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement

"This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI," he said after the incident

The suspect fired from between 200ft and 300ft away on an elevated shed with an AR-style rifle, multiple law enforcement officers told CBS News

The FBI said they were not prepared to identify the attacker and they have not yet identified a motive behind the crime. It called the shooting at Trump's rally Saturday night an attempted assassination