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Man who photographed bloody, defiant Trump says he 'knew this was a moment in American history that had to be captured'

    • Evan Vucci is an AP photographer who documented the aftermath of an assassination attempt on Trump.

    • Vucci said he understood the significance of the moment immediately after the shots rang out.

    • He took several photos of the attempt, including a now-famous photo of a defiant Trump with his fist in the air.

    The Associated Press photographer who captured a now widely shared photo of former President Donald Trump's fist-pumping display described how he captured Saturday's shooting from different angles in the heat of the moment.

    Evan Vucci, a longtime Trump follower, said he understood the significance of the incident after hearing “multiple pops” over his left shoulder.

    “I knew right away it was gunfire,” Vucci said in a video posted on the AP website. “So I looked up at the podium and I saw the Secret Service agents running toward President Trump.”

    Secret Service agents swooped on Trump shortly after the assassination attempt, while AP photographer Evan Vucci captured images of the moment.Secret Service agents swooped on Trump shortly after the assassination attempt, while AP photographer Evan Vucci captured images of the moment.

    Secret Service agents swooped on Trump shortly after the assassination attempt, while Evan Vucci snapped photos of the moment.Evan Vucci

    Vucci said he then ran to the stage and took several photos of agents climbing on top of Trump and of the Secret Service counter-assault team arriving.

    Vucci said he saw members of the Secret Service's anti-assault team approaching to his right.Vucci said he saw members of the Secret Service's anti-assault team approaching to his right.

    Vucci said he saw members of the Secret Service's anti-assault team approaching to his right.Evan Vucci

    That's when he snapped his now-famous photo of Trump, blood running down his face and his fist in the air as Secret Service agents escorted the former president off the stage.

    Trump, with blood on his face, raises his fist in triumph at a rally.Trump, with blood on his face, raises his fist in triumph at a rally.

    Trump was escorted off the stage as Evan Vucci took his now-famous photo of the former president after an assassination attempt.Evan Vucci

    “In my mind, it all happened very quickly,” Vucci said. “The moment I heard the shots, I knew this was a moment in American history that had to be captured.”

    Vucci's photo of Trump has become a rallying cry on social media among Republicans and MAGA members, who say it symbolizes the former president's strength and defiance.

    Secret Service agents surround Trump's SUV after escorting him to his vehicle.Secret Service agents surround Trump's SUV after escorting him to his vehicle.

    Trump was taken away in an SUV after the attempted assassination in Pennsylvania.Evan Vucci

    Trump was speaking at a rally on Saturday when he was interrupted by gunfire, leaving his right ear bleeding.

    In a statement released after he was taken away, the former president said he had been hit in the ear by a bullet and was “fine.”

    The FBI classified the incident as an attempted murder and identified the suspect as a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

    Authorities said the suspect was shot dead. A bystander in the crowd was killed during the assassination attempt and two others were seriously wounded.

    Read the original article on Business Insider