Close call: Bullet inches from Donald Trump's face at Pennsylvania rally

Former US President Donald Trump was injured during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday when shots were fired. Blood was visible on Trump's right ear and face as he addressed the gathered audience. (Reuters photo)

Gunshots echoed, at least five in succession. Trump instinctively grasped his ear, while Secret Service agents in dark suits swiftly moved towards him. As they shouted, "Get down!", Trump followed suit, dropping to the ground. The thousands of rally attendees in front of him reacted in unison, lowering themselves as a tense silence fell over the grass, broken only by sporadic screams. (AP photo)

"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. (AP photo)

Thousands of rally attendees packed into the field moved in unison, dropping to the ground as silence fell over the grass, interrupted only by sporadic screams. (AP photo)

After gunshots were heard, Trump was swiftly escorted offstage. Members of the Counter-Assault team, in black uniforms with rifles, flooded the stage. Most of the crowd remained low, except for a small group near where the shots originated. The suspect was shot and killed by US Secret Service officers at the scene. (AP photo)

Trump, visibly shaken, pumped his fist and waved as he moved through the linked arms of his security detail, sparking applause and cheers throughout the rural Pennsylvania fairground. (AP photo)

Trump was swiftly escorted to safety by security personnel after gunshots rang out at the rally, resulting in the deaths of the suspect and an attendee. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt on the former US President. (AP photo)

Law enforcement began clearing the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the podium, with security escorting him away from the stage as he raised his fist in acknowledgement to the crowd. (AP photo)

Blood was visibly evident on Trump's ear and face, marking where the bullet had pierced the upper part of his right ear. (Agencies photo)