Montgomery GOP chair: 'Be mature and respectful' in race after attempted assassination

Within hours of the news of an assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, Montgomery County political leaders and legislatures condemned the shooting, calling for peace on both sides.

During a campaign rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, former President Trump was grazed by a bullet on his upper right ear that left him visibly bloodied as he was escorted off stage.

One rally attendee was killed in the gunfire, while two others are listed as "critically injured." The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service.

"In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party of Montgomery County is deeply sadden by this act of violence, fueled by. anger and evil," said Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Doug Englen on a Facebook post .

"I ask the people of Montgomery County to pray for peace and seek God's guidance for strength."

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Englen was at the movies with his wife when he learned the news from his son.

Once the news hit, he reached out to Montgomery County Republican candidates via social media.

"I encourage our candidates not to be negative because once you go negative, you can never come back from it," Englen said.

As of now, the Montgomery County Republican Party doesn't have any plans to change their campaigning ahead of the August or November election, but Englen said he reminds everyone to be "mature and respectful as we continue the election year and political conversations."

"If you are to express your advocacies, just do it in a very respectful manner, and that way you're not you're not hurting someone in the community that you don't intend to just do it in a positive way, you know, support your agendas in a positive way," he said.

Montgomery County Democratic Party responds

"Political violence is a threat to democracy," the Montgomery County Democratic Party posted on Facebook . "We condemn this attack. Wr are grateful that former President Trump is safe, we grieve the death of a rally attendee, and we hope for the recovery of anyone else injured."

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"Political violence is a threat to democracy. We have to be able to conduct our election in peace," Montgomery County Democratic Party chairperson Charles Uffelman told the Leaf-Chronicle.

"It's true our political rhetoric is creating a dangerous situation, and it's important for all of us to do better when discussing our differences. We cannot let America be divided by this or any attacks on our democratic process."

Montgomery County legislators responds

Legislators across Montgomery County quickly responded to the assassination attempt on social media.

"Praying for former President Trump and the safety of all of our national leaders," said Rep. Mark Green .

Rep. Ronnie Glynn went to X , calling for peace.

"Violence of any kind is never the answer. I'm grateful for Secret Service and their swift action to protect former President Donald Trump & to hear he is safe. We must do better."

Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Montgomery GOP chair: 'Be mature and respectful' in race after attempted assassination