Witnesses of Saturday’s shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump were shaken and angered at what law enforcement personnel are calling an assassination attempt on the GOP nominee for president.
One member of the crowd was killed and Secret Service agents quickly shot and killed the shooter at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, law enforcement personnel said.
Sharon, Pa., resident Jennifer Rose O’Hare said she got to Saturday’s rally before 7 a.m. and waited all day to get in to see Trump speak.
“There were metal detectors and everybody went through them the typical way,” O’Hare said. “You put your stuff through them.”
O’Hare said she was about 12 rows back in the crowd and Trump’s podium was a little to her left. She said Trump spoke for about 10 minutes before anything happened.
“This is my second rally so I just expected fun and everybody was playing music and singing,” O’Hare said. “I just expected a good time and it was crazy.”
O’Hare said they heard about eight shots that came from behind them from the left.
“We hit the ground,” she said. “We stayed there until we kind of knew it was over. We didn’t know what to do. We were in shock.”
Walking to their car, O’Hare said she was still in shock.
“Some people were angry, but I think mostly everyone was in shock,” O’Hare said. “We kind of stood there for a few minutes. We didn’t know what to do. We just kind of walked out. Thousands of people were walking in shock.
“Like, what just happened?” O’Hare said. “You just want to cry. I never expected anything like this to happen in my life.”
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Lawrence/Butler, said he was at the rally but left early when his children didn’t feel well due to the heat. Before long, he learned of the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those that were harmed and killed during this senseless act of violence,” Bernstine said, expressing gratitude for the ensuing response by members of law enforcement, Secret Service and first responders.
The shooting is a “horrendous situation,” Bernstine said, and something America shouldn’t stand for. He said it’s not reflective of the values of the residents of Butler County.
In addition to Bernstine, Pennsylvania lawmakers representing Butler County were in attendance, as well as U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick. None of them were injured.
Meuser, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania’s 9th District in central Pennsylvania, called for prayers for the former president in a social media post. H
McCormick, who is challenging Democrat Bob Casey for a key U.S. Senate seat, told CNN Saturday he heard seven or eight shots, acknowledging that he was “OK and I’m processing what happened,” he said. “We look at this as a moment of political violence that cannot be tolerated. It’s horrific and unfortunate and hopefully, cooler minds prevail.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had been briefed by law enforcement personnel and was monitoring the situation.
“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro posted on social media. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. Pennsylvania State Police are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners. Lori and I are praying for President Trump, the Secret Service officers who protected him, those attending the event, and all of the first responders still on the scene.”
Shapiro’s sentiments were echoed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry.
“I am deeply disturbed by this act of violence that has absolutely no place in the Commonwealth or anywhere,” Henry said. “I am hopeful for a speedy recovery for former President Trump. We are in contact with our law enforcement partners and will work cooperatively with them.”
“It’s a despicable moment,” said Gale Measel, the former chair of the Lawrence County Republican Committee who called it an assassination attempt.
Measel regretted not attending the event, but arranged for tickets for a few Lawrence County residents near the stage with Butler Congressman Mike Kelly (R-16).
Other rally-goers declined comment to CNHI reporters on Saturday night other than to say they were too upset, but that they were OK.
Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, also condemned the attack “I do not condone the senseless act of violence that took place here in Butler,” he said. “This horrific incident is currently under investigation. Former President Trump, his quick-acting Secret Service team, rally attendees, and our first responders currently on the scene are in my prayers.”