Updated | Gunman at Trump rally caught on video moments before assassination attempt

An assassination attempt on US Republican presidential contender Donald Trump was caught on video, with the gunman seen moments before opening fire.

The video, obtained by TMZ, shows the gunman lying on his stomach, aiming his rifle from a rooftop as chaos ensues below.

Dressed in a grey shirt and khaki pants, the man, with long brown hair, carefully pinpointed his target before pulling the trigger.

Panic erupted as gunshots rang out, and people scrambled for cover. Moments later, the sound of retaliatory gunfire filled the air, and the gunman was struck down, the entire sequence caught on camera by Michael Difrischia.

The footage reveals the lifeless body of the shooter, with voices in the background expressing a mix of shock and political sentiment.

According to Difrischia, he and his wife, Amber, were observing the rally from a distance when they noticed the suspect climbing onto a nearby building. The man crawled into position with a rifle, despite efforts from the crowd below to alert authorities.

The gunman fired but was met with an almost immediate response from security forces, resulting in his death.

Trump was speaking at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, when shots were fired.

A photo of Trump with blood streaming across his face and pumping his fist in the air as he is whisked away by his security detail was shared on X by his son Eric Trump with the words: “This is the fighter America needs.”

Trump was treated at a nearby hospital. He later posted on Truth Social that he had been shot in the ear, describing a “whizzing sound” and feeling a “bullet ripping through skin”.

US President Joe Biden spoke with Trump and condemned the violence.