Lee GOP officials attending RNC comment on shooting
Lee County GOP officials, attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, shared comments about Saturday’s shooting in Pennsylvania that injured former president Donald Trump and left one man dead and others injured.
The assassination attempt on Trump was carried out Saturday evening at a rally hosted by the to-be Republican nominee in the upcoming election.
Trump, while addressing more than 10,000 attendees in Butler, Pennsylvania, was struck in the right ear by a bullet and dropped down behind the podium, while dozens of Secret Service personnel rushed the stage to cover him. In what has now become a polarizing image, Trump, with a smattering of blood across his cheek, held his fist in the air before being whisked away into a SUV and taken away from the scene.
Trump took to the social media platform Truth Social and released the following statement in the aftermath of the assassination attempt: “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. 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!”
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, they are still investigating the happenings in Pennsylvania as “potential domestic terrorism.” The shooter has been discovered to be Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, located just over 50 miles from Butler. Crooks was killed on-scene, and was on the roof of a building just outside of the rally grounds.
Updates from the FBI via a release as of the afternoon of July 15 state:
• FBI technical specialists successfully gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone, and they continue to analyze his electronic devices.
• The search of the subject’s residence and vehicle are complete.
• The FBI has conducted nearly 100 interviews of law enforcement personnel, event attendees, and other witnesses. That work continues.
• The FBI has received hundreds of digital media tips which include photos and videos taken at the scene, and we continue to review incoming tips. We encourage anyone with information that may assist with the ongoing investigation to continue to submit it online at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
• While the investigative work continues, FBI victim services personnel have offered assistance to the victims of Saturday’s incident.
FBI officials state the firearm used in the shooting was purchased legally, and that Crooks was “not known to the FBI prior to this incident.”
Speaking in Butler Sunday, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said, “What we witnessed yesterday was nothing short of an attack on democracy and our democratic process. An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate can only be described as absolutely despicable and will not be tolerated in this country. I want to start by offering my deepest condolences to all the victims of yesterday’s shooting and their families. Our hearts go out to the family of the individual who was killed, the two others who were critically wounded, and, of course, former President Trump and his family. I want to make sure they know-and the American people know-that the men and women of the FBI are working tirelessly to get to the bottom of what happened.”
Volunteer firefighter and father, Corey Comperatore, 50, was shot and killed during the assassination attempt of Trump. Two others were injured.
In a post on social media platform “X,” Rep. Byron Donalds, who serves Southwest Florida, on Saturday wrote: “Pray for President Trump. Pray for the Trump Family. Pray for our nation. Together we will prevail.”
The day after the incident, Trump arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
Also in attendance at the convention were Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thompson, and vice president of Lee GOP, Tara Jenner, who is running for Republican State Committeewoman in Lee County and will be on the ballot Aug. 20.
“The Lee County GOP is horrified by the attempted assassination of President Trump,” Jenner told The Breeze. “The death of Corey Comperatore, while protecting his wife and child, is a tragedy beyond words. Our prayers are with his family and those others who were injured.
“President Trump, despite being hit by a bullet in the ear, came up fighting and stronger than ever. Yesterday he arrived at the RNC Convention in Milwaukee in fine form. Along with Senator JD Vance, we now have an extremely strong Republican Presidential Ticket for the November ballot.
“A call for Unity, Peace and MAGA is reportedly Trump’s new tag line as he calls for a path forward.
“We insist upon a transparent and thorough review of the assassination attempt and the system/personnel failures that led to this situation. Excuses without corrective action and accountability are insufficient.
“We commend Republicans around the nation for rallying behind the President, and the others impacted by this act of violence, for their mature, lawful and measured response.
“Now we need to get out the vote on Aug. 20th for our important primary and again in November for the general election.”
Jim Rosinus, chair of the Lee DEC, commented, “There is no place for political violence in this country — period. The Florida Democratic Party unequivocally condemns today’s violence and thanks the Secret Service, law enforcement, and first responders for their swift response.”