Massachusetts leaders express shock, concern over Trump assassination attempt

Hours after surviving an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was “doing well,” according to his advisers, and was looking forward to joining supporters at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin this week, where he is expected to become the party’s 2024 presidential nominee.

In a statement, the FBI said it had identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as “the subject involved in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.”

On Truth Social, Trump said he was “shot through the top of my right ear.”

“I knew immediately something was wrong, I heard a whistling sound, gunshots, and I immediately felt the bullet go through the skin,” Trump said in his message. “There was a lot of bleeding, so I knew what was going on.”

Trump added: “It is unbelievable that such an act could happen in our country.”

Law enforcement said the shooter was killed, along with an adult male rallygoer. Two other adult male rallygoers were critically injured after shots were fired shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday at the Trump campaign’s outdoor rally.

In Massachusetts, officials said they were shocked, saddened and disgusted by the turn of events.

“I am horrified by the violence we witnessed yesterday,” said House Democratic Leader Katherine Clark. “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump, his family, and the participants who were injured. Political violence is never acceptable and threatens the most fundamental values ​​of our country. As deeply as Americans may disagree with one another, we are one people. We cannot allow our differences to erode peace and stability in America.”

Republican Sen. Peter Durant of Spencer said he was dismayed.

“The violence that broke out today at a political rally should never happen in the United States,” Durant said. “While I understand that we may have differing opinions, political candidates should be able to gather with their supporters without fear that those who disagree with them will resort to actions like those we saw today.”

House and Senate minority leaders Rep. Brad Jones and Sen. Bruce Tarr issued a joint statement Saturday evening.

“We are shocked and sickened by the shooting that took place today at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that he is safe,” Jones and Tarr said. “We condemn this senseless act of violence that has no place in our political discourse or our democracy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the innocent bystander who was killed and another who was seriously injured. Thank you to our U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement officers who acted quickly to address this deadly threat, and to the first responders who provided emergency medical care to the victims. We call for unity in the face of this violent attack, which threatens our democracy and the fundamental principle of free speech.”