Texas, Tarrant County leaders react to shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania
Tarrant County and Texas leaders took to social media Saturday, extending their sympathies for Donald Trump after he was injured in an assassination attempt and escorted from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania where the gunshots were fired. A rally attendee was killed and the gunman is dead, the FBI said.
Video from NBC News shows the former president grabbing his ear and then ducking as gunshots were heard at the event. Secret Service agents rushed to the stage, grabbing Trump.
Trump had blood on the side of his head and ear, but is safe and is expected to be fine, according to Trump’s campaign team.
Early Sunday, the FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour’s drive from the rally site in Butler. They were working to uncover a motive.
“This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said at a news conference.
Trump was treated and released at a nearby hospital. About two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump posted on his Truth Social site, writing that a bullet “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,” Trump wrote. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
The Secret Service said in a statement that Crooks “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue” before he was shot and killed by agents.
One spectator was killed by the shooter and two others were critically injured, according to the Secret Service. The FBI said the victims were all adult men.
President Joe Biden announced he was briefed on the shooting.
“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 on X before he later spoke at a press conference. “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.”
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was at the rally and told the Texas Tribune he was standing about 30 feet away from Trump.
“It looked like the first maybe three shots missed him and he was turned looking towards me,” Miller said. “And then the one grazed his ear and then he got down.”
Miller told the Houston Chronicle that the shots weren’t very loud and people in the crowd at first thought the sounds might have been firecrackers or balloons.
“I am shocked, but thankful that (Trump) survived today’s assassination attempt,” Miller wrote in a post on X.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare posted on X in response to the shooting, “Pray for President Trump and everyone at the rally. It is awful what is happening to our country.”
In another post on X, O’Hare said members of the media contributed to criticism of the former president and presumed Republican nominee.
“These same members of the media and many so-called leaders in our country are culpable for carrying out an 8+ year campaign of unbridled hatred towards this man, practically encouraging a homicidal lunatic to take the opportunity to become their hero,” said O’Hare. “President Trump has a resilience that is beyond remarkable. And he will be the next President of the United States.”
Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French used X Saturday to criticize the Democratic Party in light of the shooting.
“Democrats will do anything to win, including try to kill Trump. This is why we have to completely crush their ideology into the ash heap of history,” said French.
“Please pray for President Trump, his family, and for the safety of the folks in Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Rep Jake Ellzey, Congressman for Texas’ 6th District.
State leaders also showed their support for Trump just minutes after the gunfire was reported.
“The world is evil. Praise God that President Trump was able to walk away on his own. Praying for complete healing and that this person is captured immediately,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a post on X.
Paxton continued on X with posts that read “Fighter!!!! USA!!!” and “Trump has you America!”
After being grabbed by agents, Trump was seen pumping his fist into the air, NBC video shows.
“They try to jail him. They try to kill him. It will not work. He is indomitable,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on X.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote in a post on X, “Like everyone tonight, I am shaken by the assassination attempt on President Trump, for him and for our country. Our prayers for the family of the Trump supporter who was killed and anyone injured.”
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said on X that he and his wife, Heidi Cruz, were also praying for Trump.
“This is horrific & wrong & evil. Thank God he appears not to be seriously injured. Heidi & I are lifting President Trump in prayer right now,” Cruz said.
Former President George W. Bush said in a statement that “Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.”
Several other Texas and Tarrant County leaders used X to offer their support:
This story was originally published July 13, 2024 at 6:17 PM.
