AR-Style Rifle Used By Shooter At Trump Rally Shooting In Pennsylvania

The shooter at Donald Trump's rally, who killed one person and injured two others, was perched on a rooftop and used an AR-style rifle, according to ABC News reports. Law enforcement officials believe this was an assassination attempt.

Shots were fired from outside the Secret Service security perimeter. Authorities recovered an "AR-style rifle" at the scene of the shooting, according to law enforcement officials. The gunman fired from a roof outside the rally, the officials said.

Former President Donald Trump was swarmed by Secret Service agents and rushed off the stage after the gunman opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, officials said.

The AR-15 has a complex history. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most popular firearms in the U.S. - and the weapon of choice for many mass shooters. Despite its lethal reputation, there has been little action at the federal or state level to regulate this type of rifle.

Officials briefed on the investigation told ABC News that the incident, on the eve of the Republican national convention, was being investigated as a possible assassination attempt. Live rounds were apparently fired from outside the security perimeter.

The Secret Service said in a statement that a shooter "fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue," after which agents "neutralised the shooter, who is now deceased."

The shooter fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop adjacent to the venue and was 200-300 yards away at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

One spectator was killed and two others critically injured, the Secret Service said in a statement.

Blood appeared on Trump's right ear as he was taken off stage, and he could be seen mouthing "fight" and pumping his fist.

A spokesperson for Trump said in a statement, "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility."

In a statement on Truth Social posted hours after the shooting, Trump said he "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 realized then what was happening," he wrote in the post, which expressed condolences to the family of the rallygoer who was killed.

"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country," he added.