Man shot during anti-Trump protest rally in Portland, Oregon

The suspected assailant arrived at the scene in a car and fired a gun in the air before shooting the victim, according to an eyewitness

A police officer sprays the crowd with an irritant during a protest against the election of Donald Trump as US President in Portland, Oregon (Reuters)

A man has been shot at an anti-Trump rally in Portland, Oregon, where demonstrations against the President-elect had already become violent.

Portland police reported projectiles were thrown at them by protestors before a shooting was reported on Morrison Bridge in the centre of city.

In a statement, police have described the victim’s injuries as non-life-threatening and said he is being treated in hospital.

Police have described the possible suspect as a thin man in his late teens, 5ft 8in, wearing a black hoodie and saggy blue jeans.

An eyewitness to shooting, local community activist Cameron Whitten, told OregonLive protesters were moving westbound over the bridge when a car with multiple occupants drove onto the bridge travelling eastbound.

The 25-year-old activist said the car’s multiple occupants got out and one of them, armed with a gun, shot in the air before shooting a demonstrator in the lower body.

In response, police cleared the bridge and set up a crime scene guarded by officers in riot gear.

Portland Police are calling for any witnesses to come forward with information and contact them via their non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

President-elect Donald Trump has blamed successive nights of protest against his electoral victory on the media “inciting” demonstrators.

He said on Twitter on Thursday: “Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!”.