Grand Rapids residents stunned by rally shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — People around downtown Grand Rapids said they were saddened by the violence after gunshots rang out at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, killing at least one attendee.

“I was appalled … I guess I was just in shock. It’s something you hear about but you don’t really think is going to happen. I mean, it’s always a possibility, but I never expected it to happen,” resident Christopher Baker told News 8.

Calling the shooting tragic, many said should have never happened.

“It’s really sad. I feel bad for him and his family. He didn’t deserve this. Whether you like him or not, he did not deserve this,” Candice Graves said.

Speaking to the political climate, local residents said that the country’s divide has gotten out of hand.

“This whole election and this world are so different than when I was growing up and it’s just been weird for the last five years since COVID. That’s basically when it’s been different,” Wendy Karash said.

Karash added that she hopes for change.

“People have different ideas and nobody is on the same page anymore. This is not like 9/11. When that happened, everyone was together and this is our nation and stuff like that. Now we are all split,” she said.

Asked if she thought the shooting could be a catalyst for unity, she replied, “Hopefully, hopefully.”

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