This is a special edition of the PoliticsPA handbook. We’re covering response from across the state to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
👂 What do we hear“As we await more information from the investigation, I recognize how painful and shocking this event is to many of our fellow Pennsylvanians. I respectfully ask that we treat our fellow Pennsylvanians with respect and unite to universally condemn the unacceptable violence we witnessed earlier today in Butler.” – Governor Josh Shapiro
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The best story
1. Trump injured in assassination attempt
“What started as a joyful gathering on Saturday, Donald Trump days before he became the official Republican Party nominee for president, ended within minutes with bloodshed in the former president’s face and the shooting of his alleged assassin by the Secret Service.
A shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, left one spectator dead and two others seriously injured.
The former president was showing off a chart of the number of border crossings when the shots were fired, at least five. Trump was seen holding his ear and falling to the ground. Agents quickly formed a shield around him. When he finally stood, his face bloodied, he made a fist at cheering supporters. Trump and his motorcade drove away from the scene, and he was checked out at a medical facility.
The attack was the most serious assassination attempt on a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.” (AP)
Related
Shots fired at Trump rally in Butler, PA“Shots were fired during a rally for former President Donald Trump Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump appeared to have been struck because his ear was clearly covered in blood as Secret Service agents tried to push him off the stage.” (PoliticsPA)
‘This is infirmed,’ Biden said, adding that Americans must condemn the attack on Trump’s rally“President Joe Biden said Saturday that “everyone must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, adding that he hopes to speak soon with his 2024 presidential rival.” (AP)
FBI identifies Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park as suspect in attempted Trump assassination“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, as the shooting suspect involved in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally Saturday in Butler County. At a news conference hours after the shooting, federal and state investigators said they do not believe there was any threat other than the shooter at the rally. Pennsylvania State Police have not ruled out the possibility that the shooter may have received assistance, but have said no evidence has been found so far.” (WESA)
Condemnation of Trump rally shooting crosses party lines, game of accusations and calls for investigation begins“Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as some international friends and foes, are expressing shock at the news that gunfire broke out at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania — and relief that the former president survived the attack” (AP)
Country
2. Trump injured in attempted murder by Bethel Park man; participant killed, 2 seriously injured
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi The statement said the suspected shooter “fired multiple shots at the stage from an elevated position outside the gathering area” at the Butler Farm Show.
He added that agents “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
Early Sunday morning, FBI officials in Pittsburgh identified the shooter as a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Related
Republicans Had Front Row Seats at Trump Rally — Then They Witnessed Bloodshed“They were in Butler, Pennsylvania, to see a rally. Instead, they witnessed firsthand a scene of “pandemonium” and bloodshed unlike any other presidential campaign event in decades. Dave McCormick, a Republican Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, said the mood was good until the “pop, pop, pop” of gunfire. Rep. Daniel Meuser (R-Pa.) recalled immediately focusing on Trump after hearing two or three shots. And Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) said a woman next to him was wounded, describing the shooting as reminiscent of a “third world” country. (POLITICIAN)
Meuser, stage right, describes Trump’s shooting“U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, sitting with other Republican officials just off the stage at the rally where former President Donald J. Trump was shot in Butler on Saturday night, said he wasn’t sure at first what was happening as gunshots began to ring out around him.” (PennLive)
Pennsylvania lawmakers respond to Trump’s attempted death“Pennsylvania lawmakers responded swiftly and forcefully to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., just 35 miles north of Pittsburgh.” (PoliticsPA)
Attendees of Saturday’s Trump rally went through metal detectors and were banned from bringing weapons.“Those who have attended former President Donald Trump’s rallies in the past said the security measures were similar to those at other rallies they have attended.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Chaos, fear after attempted attack on Trump election rally
“Less than six minutes into his speech on Saturday, July 13 at the Butler Farm Show grounds, former President Donald Trump and three spectators were shot before the shooter was shot dead by the Secret Service.
Mayor of Slippery Rock Jondavid Longo He said he and his wife met with Trump before the speech and were sitting in the front row to Trump’s right when the shooting began. The shooting occurred at about 6:10 p.m.
“A person who was about 15 to 20 feet behind us lost his life because of this maniac and the violence that he wanted to bring upon us and President Trump,” Longo said. (Butler Eagle)
Related
Attendees Recount Shooting at Butler Trump Rally“The first few shots rang out like fireworks. But as they continued, people in the crowd at the Butler Farm Show fell to the ground: a mother and father ordered their children to crouch. A young man bowed in the grass. Behind him, a woman began to pray.” (Butler Eagle)
Witnesses Describe Chaos After Gunman Opens Fire at Donald Trump Rally in Butler. “David Abbot immediately lay on top of his wife, Miranda, when gunfire rang out minutes after former President Donald Trump began speaking at a rally in Butler on Saturday. “I thought it was fireworks,” said Ms. Abbot, 32, of Canonsburg. “When I looked to my left, which was our left side, it looked like smoke was coming out of it… I hesitated. He said to lay down. I was like, ‘What?’” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Pennsylvania politicians recall 1968 attacks, call for toning down rhetoric after Trump shot at rally“While America was reeling from the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Lehigh Valley political leaders were recalling the political violence of 1968.” (News)
‘I Was So Scared’: Pennsylvanians React to Trump Rally Shooting“It was so surreal when we heard the bullets. Just one, two, three, four, five, six. And then we were looking around and saying, ‘Firecrackers?’ And my nephew was yelling, ‘Get down, get down!’ And he was just pushing us. And I wanted to crawl out of there on my stomach. I was so scared,” Suzanne Vincent said. (NewsNation)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
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