Donald Trump said a bullet “pierced” part of his ear when he was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The former president was rushed off the stage in Butler after gunshots rang through the crowd. One person in the crowd was killed and two people were critically injured after an attacker fired “multiple shots”, said the Secret Service.

The suspected gunman was killed according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. The Secret Service said the suspected shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue” and that the FBI has taken over the investigation. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said he 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,” he said. “Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.” Mr Trump thanked the Secret Service and other law endorsement for their “rapid response” and he extended 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. Spokesman Steven Cheung said Mr Trump is “fine” and being checked out at a local medical facility while the former president’s eldest.