Donald Trump releases statement after gunman’s attempted assassination

Former US president Donald Trump has released his first statement following a suspected assassination during a rally in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday (13 July).

Trump, 78, was speaking at the event in Butler, Pennsylvania when a gunman appeared to shoot at him.

The businessman turned politician was on stage speaking about immigration when a number of shots can be heard ringing out.

Trump ducks to the ground as members of his security detail rush to surround him, he is then escorted off of the stage with blood on his face.

It has since been reported by NBC News that a member of the crowd was killed during the attack.

Trump has now released his first statement since the incident, writing on his Truth Social platform that he will remain 'defiant' in the aftermath of the attack.

"Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening," he began.

"We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.

"Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.

"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.

"I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin. DJT."

The former president could be seen with blood on his face. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Meanwhile the US Secret Service has since confirmed that the alleged gunman is 'now deceased' after being 'neutralised' by authorities.

"US Secret Service personnel neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated," the statement read.

The FBI has since identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks. It was reported that he had taken an 'elevated position' on a nearby rooftop outside of the rally.

According to the New York Post, Crooks was a registered member of the Republican party, as per state records.

Eyewitnesses in attendance at the rally have also claimed that members of the crowd had tried to notify security about the gunman moments before the shooting occurred.

The gunman has since been 'neutralised' by authorities. (REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images)

A man named Greg Smith, who spoke to the BBC, said that people in the crowd could see a man with a gun crawling along the roof of a building.

"He had a rifle, we could clearly see him with a rifle, absolutely," he explained.

"We're pointing at him, the police are down there running around on the ground. We're like 'hey man, there's a guy on the roof with a rifle'. And the police were like 'huh, what?'"

Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, has since stated their assessment 'at this time' was that authorities weren't aware of the gunman until he began shooting.