Local law enforcement, elected officials respond to Trump shooting

Law enforcement officials in Southern California were on heightened alert Sunday following an assassination attempt the previous day on former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday evening for the Republican National Convention, where law enforcement personnel from across the country deployed to assist with security measures, including 40 California Highway Patrol officers and 21 members of the Bakersfield, Fresno and Long Beach police departments.

“It is critical we support our law enforcement colleagues in Wisconsin and the safety of participants at this significant event,” Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, said in a statement. “California’s peace officers are well-trained and experienced in handling large-scale events, and we are confident in their ability to enhance the security operations in Milwaukee.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement, “Public safety transcends party lines. California is proud to support our law enforcement colleagues in Wisconsin during this important political event. Working together, we are helping to provide a safe and secure environment for all participants at the Republican National Convention.”

The deployment of California officers was planned since May through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact that organizes support from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies at national political conventions and during emergencies, according to Newsom’s office.

The officers will work with other law enforcement agencies at the event to provide crowd management, traffic control and help maintain public safety throughout the convention.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department sent 50 members of its Emergency Response Team to Milwaukee to assist with convention security, according to an agency post on X.

Several Southern California law enforcement agencies issued statements following the Trump rally shooting.

“The LAPD is monitoring the shooting that occurred (Saturday) in Pennsylvania involving Former President Trump, and there is no known threat or connection to the City of Los Angeles,” LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi said in a statement posted on the social platform X.

“We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure Los Angeles remains safe.”

Choi added “We are grateful to hear that Former President Trump is safe, and devastated to learn of innocent people attending being killed and others critically injured.

“We must condemn this violence and remind ourselves — what happened (Saturday) in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic, and has no place in America. All people and political affiliations have a place here.”

The LA County Sheriff’s Department issued this statement.

“We are closely monitoring the recent assassination attempt of former President Trump and working with our federal and regional partners to ensure the safety of our communities in LA County,” the LASD posted on X.

“The Department will continue to monitor this evolving incident and will be increasing patrol checks as a precaution. Currently, there are no specific or credible threats to LA County.”

The Long Beach Police Department also issued a statement: “We are aware of the security incident in Pennsylvania and are in constant contact with our law enforcement partners in the region. We will have an increased police presence.

“As always, please remember to ‘See something, say something.’ Report suspicious activity by calling Police Dispatch at 562-435-6711. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.”

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department posted this statement on X: “We are deeply saddened by the recent event in Pennsylvania and send prayers to everyone involved.

“What is See Something, Say Something?

“This is a nationwide campaign against domestic terrorism within the country by individuals or groups motivated by ideological, religious, political, or social beliefs.

“Prevention efforts involve community engagement, early intervention in radicalization, and coordination among law enforcement agencies.”

To report suspected domestic terrorism, the department urged the public to call the nonemergency dispatch — Desert, 760-956-5001, or Valley, 909-387-8313 — or call 911.

In addition to the law enforcement statements, numerous state and local officials swiftly condemned the shooting that resulted in two deaths, including the gunman, two people injured and Trump wounded by a bullet he said struck the top part of his right ear.

Newsom said in a statement, “Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally.”

LA Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying, “What just happened today in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic. Political violence has no place in our nation. I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with all of those impacted this evening.”

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted on X, “While I don’t agree with his politics, I absolutely believe that former President Trump and all candidates have the right to safely campaign in public without fear of violence. It is a cornerstone of our democracy. Political violence has no place in the United States.”

Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement Sunday, “Yesterday’s shocking act of violence against the former president has no place in our society, and my heart goes out to the victims of this senseless, horrific act. It is unconscionable that anyone would perpetrate such an appalling attack and embrace the warped view that violence is ever a means to an end. I hope we can use this shocking event as an opportunity to unite behind a shared conviction that civility and respect should be the guiding principles behind our political discourse. America is better than this.”

Members of Congress and congressional candidates also condemned the violence.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, said in a statement: “Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery.”

Steve Garvey, the Republican former Dodgers and Padres star baseball player competing against Schiff for the Senate seat held previously by the late Dianne Feinstein, said in a statement, “My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump for a speedy recovery and with the families of the innocent rally supporters who were tragically affected.

“We must also appreciate and thank the bravery of the Secret Service members who courageously protected the former president and everyone present,” Garvey said.

Current California senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, both Democrats, posted similar thoughts online.

“There is no place in our democracy for political violence,” Padilla wrote on social media. “I am keeping the former President and those attending his rally in my thoughts. Grateful for law enforcement’s quick action to protect those in attendance.”

Butler added, “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family as well as all the Americans who were present at the rally. We must not allow political violence to become acceptable in our democracy.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, said: “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”

The Los Angeles County Republican Party posted on X: “God be with President Trump. Hatred and violence is NEVER the answer.”

California Republican Party Chair Jessica Millan Patterson, said in a statement, “Please join me in praying for President Trump and praying for our country.”

According to the Orange County Republican Party, the “attempted assassination of President Trump should shock the soul of our country. As Americans, the future of our country has always been decided by the vote of the American people.”

Trump grabbed his right ear and ducked to the ground after several shots were heard Saturday afternoon during his speech at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Secret Service agents hustled Trump away from the melee where the presumptive Republican nominee was photographed with blood on the right side of his face and right ear.

According to the Secret Service, “During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation, and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”

The man who died was identified by family and officials as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a volunteer fire chief for the nearby Buffalo Township. According to published reports, Comperatore was shielding his wife and daughters from the gunfire when he was shot and killed.

President Joe Biden posted this statement Sunday: “Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed at Donald Trump’s rally — he was a father protecting his family from the bullets being fired. We’re also praying for the full recovery of those who were injured.”

On Trump, Biden said, “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

In another statement Sunday, the president said, “An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. … Unity is the most elusive goal of all. Nothing is as important as that right now — unity.”

Biden said he directed the Secret Service chief to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention and ordered an independent review of the security at the Butler campaign rally.

Pennsylvania state police reported on Sunday that the two injured men — 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania — had been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

Authorities identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. NBC reported that he was a registered Republican.

According to published reports, the gunman was armed with AR-style rifle and was positioned about 150 yards away from the stage on top of a shed located outside the rally area’s perimeter and to Trump’s right. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper team.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022 and had no criminal record. Media reports said authorities found explosive materials in Crooks’ vehicle.

Trump said on social media, “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!”

Trump thanked the 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.”

He issued another statement later Sunday: “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families.

“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win.

“I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin.”

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were investigating the shooting. The FBI issued a statement saying it was leading the investigation. Special agents of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office responded to the incident, including crisis response team members and evidence response technicians.

“We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement. Anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is asked to call our tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI,” according to the FBI statement.

Witnesses with photos and videos can be submit them online at FBI.gov/butler.

City News Service contributed to this report.