LOS ANGELES (CNS) – State and local officials condemned Saturday’s apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania — while the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement saying it is monitoring the situation and “working with our federal and regional partners to ensure the safety of our communities in L.A. County.”
The sheriff’s department’s statement on X went on to say the agency “will continue to monitor this evolving incident and will be increasing patrol checks as a precaution.”
“Currently, there are no specific or credible threats to L.A. County,” the sheriff’s statement said. The Los Angeles Police Department echoed the remarks, issuing the same statement.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president in this year’s election, grabbed his ear and ducked to the ground after several shots were heard Saturday afternoon while he was delivering a campaign speech.
He was swarmed by Secret Service agents and whisked away from the site, after being photographed with apparent blood on his face.
The Secret Service issued a statement about the shooting: “During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation, and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”
Broadcast news outlets reported that the shooter was described as male, that he had an AR-15 rifle and was 200 to 300 yards away from the stage on top of a shed outside the rally’s perimeter and to Trump’s right, and that he was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper team. An investigation was underway by the Secret Service, as well as the FBI and local and regional law enforcement agencies.
Former President Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social platform confirming he was shot. ” I 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. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Trump issued words of thanks and prayers. “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” his spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement to reporters. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
President Joe Biden reacted to the shooting in a statement, saying “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Shortly after 5:10 p.m., Biden made a broadcast public statement from Delaware in which he called the violence “sick.” When asked if he thought it was an assassination attempt, he said he did not have enough information to know. He said he hoped he would get to speak to Trump later in the night and that he would tell the press if that were to happen.
Vice President Kamala Harrris also issued a statement about the shooting on behalf of herself and Second Husband Douglas Emhoff: “Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.
“While I don’t agree with his politics, I absolutely believe that former President Trump and all candidates have the right to safely campaign in public without fear of violence. It is a cornerstone of our democracy,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on X. “Political violence has no place in the United States.”
“Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass weighed in: “What just happened today in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic. Political violence has no place in our nation. I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with all of those impacted this evening.”
Former President Barack Obama issued the following statement: “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Los Angeles, also reacted: “Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt, Schiff said. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared her comments and her perspective. “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, R-San Diego, stated: “In America, violence has no place in politics. Political disagreements, even arguments, should exist in our democracy. For without disagreement, there is no democracy. And without democracy, there is no free nation. I am praying for the Trump family and the families of attendees who were shot as well as loved ones impacted by today’s disturbing violence. I plea with Americans to take a step back and acknowledge the need for common ground, rather than seeing politics as a polarizing exercise.”
“God be with President Trump. Hatred and violence is NEVER the answer,” the Los Angeles County Republican Party said in a statement on X.
Jessica Millan Patterson, chairwoman of the California Republican Party, said: “Please join me in praying for President Trump and praying for our country.”
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