Two people have died, including the shooter, following an assassination attempt against Donald Trump. 

It happened early on Saturday evening as Trump was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

Shots were fired, piercing part of Mr Trump’s ear.

The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the shooter, who was quickly shot down by police snipers.  

The US Secret Service said he fired "multiple shots" from an "elevated position". The motive remains unclear. 

A member of the audience was also killed and two were critically injured in the shooting, according to the Secret Service. 

Hours after the shooting, Mr Trump was pictured giving a brief wave as he left his plane in Newark, New Jersey. 

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally following an assassination attempt. Image: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The Secret Service said he was "safe", and it was treating the incident as an attempted assassination. 

He said on social media he “knew immediately that something was wrong”. 

“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening,” he said. 

"I want to thank the United States Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response. 

"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,” he added. 

"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country." 

Police snipers return fire after shots were fired while Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign rally, 13/07/2024. Image: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Footage shows a building with a white roof, about 100m from where Trump was speaking, with what appears to be a body and a rifle on top. 

FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek said they have inspected the area and identified “suspicious” packages subject to further investigation. 

He added there is no existing threat after the shooting. 

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally following an assassination attempt. Image: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

US President Joe Biden has said “everybody must condemn” the shooting. 

“The bottom line is that the Trump rally is a rally that should have been able to be conducted peacefully, without any problem,” he said. 

“The idea that there's political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of, it's just not appropriate.” 

Mr Biden has spoken to Mr Trump following the shooting, currently the two presumed candidates in the 2024 US presidential election.