Butler County leaders ready for Trump to return to assassination attempt site for rally

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — Butler County leaders said local law enforcement is prepared to host former President Donald Trump for a rally next month.

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit the site of the first assassination attempt on his life again in the first week of October, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The rally is scheduled for October 5 at the Butler Farm Showgrounds, CBS News reported.

At Trump’s rally in Butler Township on July 13, gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed onto the roof of the AGR building and fired eight shots, hitting Trump, kill Corey Comperatore and seriously injuring two others.

Butler officials said no contracts have been signed for the agricultural show, but Butler Township Manager Tom Knights said agents are ready and waiting.

“So far, we have not been contacted by any agency or campaign about a return rally,” Knights said Tuesday.

The US Secret Service has announced that there will be significant changes for Trump’s second visit. Since the assassination attempt in Butler Township, the former president has spoken at his outdoor rallies behind bulletproof glass.

Debbie Desmond and her daughter were at the July 13 rally. She said she was determined to see Trump again.

“I have no concerns,” Desmond said. “I want to go see him.”

Sources told KDKA-TV that Pennsylvania State Police are preparing for the rally and asking officers if they can work. It is not yet clear to what extent local police and SWAT teams will be involved in next month’s rally.

“They need to be stricter,” Kathy Yingling of Renfrew told KDKA-TV on Tuesday. “There needs to be more security. It needs to be a safer area.”

Butler County Prosecutor Richard Goldinger said he had not heard anything about the rally, but added he was concerned about copycats.

KDKA-TV contacted the Secret Service on Tuesday but did not receive a response.