Chaos unfolded at the election rally, where people in the crowd can be seen scrambling for cover and searching for the source of the bangs.
Photo: Rebecca DROKE / AFP
Amid a sea of red caps, the crowd dropped as a wave as shots rang out and Secret Service agents swarmed over former US President Donald Trump to protect him.
The scenes, at a Republican election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, have shocked the world.
Here's what photographers captured:
Confusion on the stage just after the shots.
Photo: AFP/ Rebecca Droke
Donald Trump still on stage, sheltered by the Secret Service agents, immediately after the shots ran out.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP
The former US president dishevelled as he reacts to the shooting.
Photo: TAKAYUKI FUCHIGAMI
A shocking and striking image, of Donald Trump raising his fist, his face spattered with blood, surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP
Secret Service agents and law enforcement spring into action.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
A law enforcement officer responds, after the shots, at the Republican rally in Butler.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
Rally-goers taking cover as much as possible, among a sea of people in the stands.
Photo: AFP / Getty Images
Rally-goers in the stands, after the shots.
Photo: JEFF SWENSEN
People in the audience react, after the shots.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
Red spattered across the side of Donald Trump's head.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
Trump is rushed from the stage.
Photo: AFP/ Xin Hua
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
Americans watch the unfolding news at a plaza in Milwaukee.
Photo: AFP/ Chip Somodevilla
News updates beamed into a bar in Wisconsin, as people discuss the events.
Photo: AFP/ Angela Weiss
Trump is escorted from the rally.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
A man yells for help, as others attend another person, in the stands.
Photo: JEFF SWENSEN
Photo: AFP/ Rebecca Droke
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Anna Moneymaker
US President Joe Biden speaks to media, after the events at Trump's rally in Butler.
Photo: AFP/ Samuel Corum
People line the street across from the Rehoboth Beach Police Department in Delaware, as US President Joe Biden makes his statement.
Photo: AFP/ Samuel Corum
Armed law enforcement outside Trump Tower, in New York city.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Adam Gray
Supporters of Donald Trump hug at the emptying Butler rally-ground, in the aftermath of the shooting.
Photo: AFP/ Yomiuri - Takayuki Fuchigami
Empty chairs, and discarded placards scatter the emptied rally-ground in Butler.
Photo: ANNA MONEYMAKER
The Stars and Stripes, hanging over the empty venue.
Photo: ANNA MONEYMAKER
Law enforcement agents gather near the stage, as work continues at the scene after the shooting.
Photo: AFP
Supporters of former Donald Trump praying, outside his Mar-a-Lago property at Palm Beach, Florida, following the events at the Butler rally.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Saul Martinez
Donald Trump fans wave flags and gather at Mar-a-Lago.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Saul Martinez
Police monitor the crowd outside Mar-a-Lago.
Photo: AFP/ Saul Martinez
Events at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally, before the shots
Trump supporters seeking shade while waiting for the start of the campaign rally in Butler.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Jeff Swensen
Trump supporters sweat in 92F (33C) weather, before the event began.
Photo: AFP/ Getty - Jeff Swensen
Rally-goers stand hand on heart, waiting for the start of the event.
Photo: AFP/ Jeff Swensen
A giant American flag waves over Trump supporters as the former US President speaks, before the shots.
Photo: AFP/ Rebecca Droke
Trump speaks, before the shooting unfolded.
Photo: AFP/ Rebecca Droke
Trump supporters cheers as Donald Trump speaks, before the shooting.
Photo: AFP/ Rebecca Droke