Stunning images capture assassination attempt on Donald Trump

A photographer captured the fortunate moment a suspected assassin’s bullet narrowly missed former President Donald Trump, grazing his ear.

A photographer has captured the incredibly fortunate moment a bullet whizzed past former president Donald Trump, leaving him with only a grazed ear earlier this morning. It’s a standout among a series of what will become iconic photographs capturing an attempt on the former US President’s life at a campaign rally.

The US Secret Service confirmed a gunman was “neutralized” after firing a volley of shots toward the former president at the Butler, Pennsylvania event on Saturday evening US time.

Trump has said he was hit in the upper ear by a bullet and felt it “ripping through his flesh”.

Blood could be seen pouring from the 78-year-old’s head wound as bodyguards rushed him from the stage into a waiting vehicle.

One image captured by Doug Mills from the New York Times shows what appears to be a bullet passing by Trump’s head. Picture: Doug Mills/New York Times/Headpress

The moment Donald Trump feels the bullet. Picture: Trump Campaign Office/Anadolu via Getty Images

Blood could be seen on his right hand. Picture: Trump Campaign Office/Anadolu via Getty Images

Pictures of the split second Trump was hit were taken by the New York Times photographer Doug Mills.

One snap appears to show a streaking object whizzing past Trump’s head, with a subsequent image showing him clutching at his right ear.

A third frame depicts the former President beginning to duck downwards and a spot of blood on his right hand.

Blood was seen trickling down Trump’s face. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP

Armed police and Secret Service personnel kick into action. Picture: Anna Moneymaker /Getty Images via AFP

Law enforcement officers move in. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/ Getty Images via AFP

The shooter in the suspected assassination attempt was swiftly killed by Secret Service personnel who returned fire at the man stationed on a rooftop.

One spectator was shot dead, and two others were critically injured in the shocking attack on the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for this year’s presidential election.

Other press gallery photographers captured close-up pictures of Trump being shielded on the stage by the Secret Service.

Blood could be seen trickling over his face in one shot taken by Getty’s Anna Moneymaker, and the Associated Press has published a clear image of Trump’s injured ear.

Donald Trump raised his hand. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP

Images captured Trump’s wounds. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP

In footage and still images of the seconds before and after shots could be heard, Trump’s head rotates as he looked around at the crowd while he spoke in a typically animated fashion.

It is possible had his head not moved in that exact moment, the bullet which struck him could have been fatal.

Then there were the pictures of a bloodied but defiant Trump, surrounded by Secret Service bodyguards, raising his fist in the air before being whisked away.

The act of Trump raising his hand prompted a loud cheer from the crowd who began chanting “USA, USA, USA”.

Employees in a Florida restaurant watch the news after hearing that Donald Trump was evacuated from the stage after shots were fired. Picture: Timothy Clary / AFP

Press gallery photographers have been commended for their bravery by running toward the stage after shots were fired in order to get images that will go down in history.

Little is yet known of the shooter with the Secret Service leading an investigation into what is believed to be an assassination attempt.

President Joe Biden fell short of confirming whether he thought it was an assassination but hinted at that theory.

“I have an have an opinion but I don’t have any facts so I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make any more comments.”