Image source, Getty Images

One witness, Greg, told the BBC he was outside the rally and could only hear the former president talking, when he noticed a man on top of a roof.

"We noticed the guy crawling up the roof of the building beside us, 50 feet away from us," Greg said. "He had a rifle, we could clearly see him with a rifle."

Greg said they pointed the man out to police.

"Next thing you know, I’m thinking to myself why is Trump still speaking? Why have they not pulled him off the stage?" he said. "I’m standing there pointing at him... the next thing you know, five shots ring out." Bear in mind the situation is still fluid and the BBC cannot fully verify these early witness reports.

Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X/Twitter, that "violence has no place in our politics".

"Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally," he wrote.

"We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement."

Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell said he was "horrified" by what happened to Trump and relieved he is safe.

"Political violence has no place in our country," he wrote.

We're getting the first witness reports from the incident.

An audience member who called himself Tim told the BBC he heard "a barrage of shots".

"There was a spray which we initially thought was a firehose, and then the speaker on the right-hand side started coming down. Something must have hit the hydraulic lines (which caused it to fall).

"We saw President Trump go to the ground and everyone started dropping to the ground because it was chaos."Jason, who was also in the audience, said he heard five shots in quick succession.

“We see the Secret Service jump on Trump to protect him. Everyone in the crowd dropped down very quickly.

“He stood up and put his fist up in the air.

“He was a little bloody, his ear was bleeding."

This is the moment what sounded like gunshots rang out in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

You can see Trump reach for his ear, before secret service agents swarm him and push him to the floor, as members of the crowd scream.

Image source, Reuters

A lot remains unclear about the situation, but here's what we know so far:

• About five minutes into his campaign speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, loud bangs rang out as former President Donald Trump was speaking

• The crowd yelled “duck” as the apparent shots rang out
• Secret Service swarmed the former president for several seconds before he was rushed off stage with visible blood near his ear and on the side of his face.
• He pumped his fist in the air as he was escorted down the stairs of the stage and toward an SUV.
• Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the president is safe and the incident is now an active Secret Service investigation.
• Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that the former president is “fine”.

Christal Hayes
US reporter

Image source, Getty Images

With blood appearing on the side of his face, Trump rose from the stage and threw his fist in the air after apparent shots rang out at Pennsylvania rally.

A group of Secret Service agents who rushed the stage surrounded him and he spoke with them for several seconds before appearing to mouth the word “fight” multiple times with his fist in the air.

His white shirt was partially unbuttoned and was helped off the stage by the agents and immediately escorted to an SUV where he was taken away from the scene.

Many Republican politicians – including Tennessee senator Marsha Blackburn, Kansas senator Roger Marshall, Guy Reschenthaler and Tim Burchett, among others – posted “praying for Trump” on X/Twitter.

“I’m praying for President Trump. I hope everyone will join me,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, wrote on X.

“God bless President Trump and his family,” Andy Biggs, a congressman from Arizona, wrote.

“Please pray for President Trump, his family, and all of the patriots at today’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Elise Stefanik, the House Republican conference chairwoman from New York, wrote on X.

Image source, Reuters

Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that he was “fine”.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

Donald Trump has been rushed off stage - apparently injured - after loud bangs were heard at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Footage showed Trump ducking as sharp cracks - apparently shots - rang out.

Pictures show what appears to be blood on his ear and face.

His campaign stated that the Republican presumptive nominee was fine and receiving medial treatment.

He was moved to a waiting vehicle, appearing to raise a fist as he was led away.

The rally venue in Butler County, Pennsylvania is now a crime scene.

We'll bring you more information and reaction as it comes.

Image source, Getty