Footage from Donald Trump rally shows counter-snipers react milliseconds before former president shot at

The moment counter-snipers react as former President Donald Trump is shot at a rally has been captured by a member of the crowd.

Footage circulating online in the wake of the incident shows two snipers on a roof over Trump’s right shoulder, looking at something in the distance.

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One looks up from his scope before appearing to jolt back down, milliseconds before the first gunshot rings out.

In an instant, Trump is seen holding the right side of his face before Secret Service agents descend on him.

The footage appears to capture the moment that a gunman fired a barrage of shots in Trump’s direction.

According to CNN, law enforcement officials believe the shooter was on a building’s rooftop just outside the venue where Trump was holding his rally.

The outlet reports a heavy police presence descended on the building in the moments after the shooting. It is positioned in the direction the sniper was looking at in the video above.

Trump says he was shot in the right ear in the attack in Pennsylvania on Sunday morning AEST.

Footage at the rally captured several gunshots ringing out, before Trump clutched at the right side of his face and falling to the ground.

Secret Service agents shielded him as a barrage of bullets rang out, before Trump was escorted off the stage with blood running down his cheek.

The gunman was killed, as was one member of the audience. Two other rally attendees have also been critically injured.

In a statement several hours after the shooting, Trump posted a statement to his social media platform Truth Social.

“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.

“Most importantly, I want to extend my 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.

“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.

“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.

“Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

President Joe Biden condemned the suspected assassination attempt of his political rival.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” he said.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.

“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”