After an assassination attempt left former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump injured at a campaign rally, politicians representing Stockton and San Joaquin County from both sides of the aisle have condemned political violence.
The shooting, at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, happened around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, according to local law enforcement. The Secret Service rushed Trump off the stage after several shots rang out.
The former president said a bullet pierced his right ear in a Truth Social post hours after the shooting.
A rally attendee was killed and two other men were injured. The men — 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pennsylvania and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pennsylvania — were listed in critical condition as of Monday morning.
The shooter, who has been identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
Dan Wright, who represents District 2 on the Stockton City Council, said "campaigning should be peaceful and nonviolent in this country."
"Today's attack on former President Trump was a horrific act of politically motivated violence. Threats of such behavior and actual violence have no place in our American democracy," the Democratic lawmaker said via Facebook. "I am grateful for the actions of the first responders who were on site, and I am equally grateful to see both Democrats and Republicans come together in condemning this horrific incident."
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Republican, also offered his support to Trump.
"I am appalled at this brazen act of violence and my prayers are with President Trump, the victims, and their families," Lincoln wrote in a statement on X.
Miguel Villapudua, chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the District 1 representative, called on everyone to "step away from dangerous rhetoric and remember that the things that unite us are stronger than the forces that seek to divide us."
"There should be no place in politics or our lives for violence," Villapudua said in a statement. "Violence is not a solution to the challenges that our nation faces. We should build bridges, understanding and empathy for one another."
State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Democrat, said "the attempt on former President Donald Trump's life is absolutely abhorrent."
"Political violence must be condemned and it has no place in our democracy that we all should hold dear," Eggman said.
U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, also a Democrat, echoed the sentiments.
"There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Pam and I are praying for former President Donald Trump and everyone affected by tonight's attack," Harder said. "Thank you to the swift action from the Secret Service and local law enforcement."
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
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