Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant has been reportedly identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks is said to have fired multiple shots from an elevated position on a manufacturing plant roof, over 130 yards from the stage where Trump was addressing supporters.Crooks' shots injured Trump, grazing his ear, and tragically claimed the life of an innocent bystander while critically wounding two others. 

The swift response from the Secret Service counter-sniper team resulted in a direct headshot, neutralizing Crooks immediately. This dramatic moment, captured on video, shows the intensity of the situation as Secret Service agents swarmed the stage to shield Trump and evacuate him safely.The incident unfolded just after Trump began his address, with the former president grimacing in pain and clutching his right ear as blood became visible. Despite the chaos, Trump turned to the crowd, defiantly raising his fist in a powerful image of resilience.

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump later posted on Truth Social. He described the moment, recalling the whizzing sound and the searing pain as the bullet tore through his skin.

Authorities, including the FBI and local law enforcement, are investigating the motive behind Crooks' actions. At a press conference, officials confirmed they are treating the shooting as an attempted assassination.

Officials indicated that it is premature to determine if the assassination attempt was the work of a "lone wolf."

"It's too early to make that call. We have tentatively identified one shooter, but our investigation continues. We're following numerous leads, and it will take some time before we can conclusively determine if there was only one gunman," stated Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bevins.

Questions have arisen regarding the security measures in place at the rally. Despite being a former president and a presumptive GOP nominee, Trump's Secret Service detail is significantly smaller compared to that of sitting presidents. Sources indicate that Trump's campaign had requested additional security, but these requests were not fully met, leaving potential vulnerabilities.