World / World Politics

Photographers' perspective: Shooting at Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally

19:34 pm on 14 July 2024

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