Single detail that sums up how close Donald Trump came to death
- Donald Trump's ear injured during rally
- The shooter was killed at the scene
- One spectator was killed, another two were injured
- READ MORE: Dave Portnoy insists 'bad a**' Donald Trump will easily win the election after surviving assassination attempt
New details have emerged of how close just how close a bullet came to killing Donald Trump during a shooting at his campaign rally.
Trump was seen covered in blood after a shooter, who the FBI has since identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot the former president's ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, local time.
A grey line, a moving bullet, flying just inches from Trump's head was captured on camera moments before it struck.
The incredible image was snapped by New York Times photographer, Doug Mills, who recalled it being 'a very standard, typical rally' before the drama unfolded.
'All of a sudden, there was what I thought were three or four loud pops,' he told the New York Times.
'At first I thought it was a car. The last thing I thought was it was a gun. I kept taking pictures. He went down behind the lectern, and I thought, 'Oh my God, something's happened.'
It comes as a video showed the life-saving move Trump made just as a bullet whizzed by his head.
Trump was seen covered in blood after a shooter, who the FBI has identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, shot the former president's ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Right before he was struck in the ear, Trump turned his head slightly - a lucky head jerk that potentially spared him from graver injuries, or even death.
A moment after the former president slightly moved his head, the bullet appeared to strike him in the ear.
In the top right corner of the video, a fast-moving grey spot, which may be the bullet, appeared at the eight second mark.
At the end of the clip, Trump clapped his hand to the side of his head as blood can be seen above his ear and streaking across his face.
The video begins with Trump addressing his crowd of supporters in Butler, PA
'Watch how Trump turns his head at the very last second before the first shot is fired,' read a slow motion video of the shooting posted the video on X by The Hodgetwins.
Another X user, Mirthful Moments, retweeted the video and wrote: 'Literally a fraction of an inch at the last millisecond. 100 percent divine intervention.'
After Trump was apparently struck, he dropped behind the podium and was surrounded by secret service agents, who then ushered the former president off the stage and to his motorcade.
Before he left the stage, Trump vigorously pumped his fist before the crowd, prompting his adoring audience to start chanting: 'USA! USA!'
After the incident, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social that shed light on the shooting.
'Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead,' the GOP frontrunner wrote.
'I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,' Trump continued.
'I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.'
Then Trump just slightly moves his head right before the bullet reaches him
A moment later, Trump is apparently struck in the ear with the bullet. Spectators were quick to say how close the bullet was to striking Trump in a more fatal area
The former president added: 'Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.'
Trump further extended his '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.'
The former president also expressed his gratitude for the swift response of the Secret Service.
He wrote: 'I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania.'
Anthony Guglielmi, the Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, released a press statement that provided further details on the shooting.
'At 6:15pm, a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside the rally venue.'
Guglielmi continued: 'US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.'
Trump remained defiant after the attack, energetically pumping his fist before the crowd
At the end of the statement, the chief of communications confirmed that one spectator was killed and that two spectators were injured.
The FBI is now investigating the shooting, which is being treated as an assassination attempt.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson also announced that the House will conduct a full investigation.
'The American people deserve to know the truth,' Speaker Johnson said.
