Melania Trump urges unity after assassination attempt on ex-president

WASHINGTON

Former US first lady Melania Trump urged Americans Sunday to "reunite" in the aftermath of an attempt to assassinate her husband, ex-President Donald Trump.

"Dawn is here again. Let us reunite. Now. This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence," she said in a statement.

"The winds of change have arrived. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide – thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family," she added.

The FBI on Saturday identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as the suspected shooter in the attempted assassination of the ex-president as he was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The bureau is continuing to carry out an investigation into the shooting, which left Trump mildly injured.

Trump was seen raising his hand to the right side of his head with blood flowing down the right side of his face as he was being whisked from the stage, footage showed.

Trump's spokesperson Steven Cheung said the former president “is fine” after the shooting.

The Secret Service, which is responsible for Trump’s security, said the shooter opened fire from an elevated position overlooking the stage where he was delivering an address. In addition to the shooter, one spectator is dead and two others were critically injured. The shooter reportedly used an AR-15-style rifle.