‘We cannot be like this’: Residents condemn assassination attempt

Across the country and in Wilson County, people are reacting with shock and resolve after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday.

“It’s a tragedy,” Wilson County Republican Party Chair Mick Rankin said on Sunday. “I can’t help but think there was some divine intervention that prevented a further tragedy.”

Trump was at the podium during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when attendees heard a popping noise that turned out to be gunfire. News footage from the event shows Trump grabbing his ear before ducking down and being taken to the ground by Secret Service agents on the scene who then rushed him to a hospital. The former president had blood on his ear and running down the right side of his face as he was rushed from the scene.

One spectator was killed and two others were critically injured in the shooting, according to government officials.

Trump released a statement Saturday night saying a bullet pierced the upper part of his 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,” he said.

Trump was released from the hospital Saturday night.

The FBI has identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Authorities say Secret Service counter-snipers returned fire, killing Crooks.

The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is scheduled to begin Monday as originally planned.

Delegate Joe Hartsfield of Wilson, who’s in Milwaukee for the convention, told the Times on Sunday that the shooting was “so scary, of course.”

“When it initially went down, we were getting bits and pieces of information. So (I’m) not really sure of all the details or if President Trump was OK, so the initial reaction was scary,” Hartsfield said. “After being able to digest it, the thoughts were for the safety of everyone involved.”

Hartsfield said he thinks the assassination attempt will affect the entire United States.

“We saw leadership in President Trump yesterday in the face of adversity even when as assassination was being attempted,” Hartsfield said.

“He said to the Secret Service, ‘Wait, wait,’ and he stood up and he held his fist up. We as Americans saw that here is a leader that is not going to stop. He is going to ensure that he does what’s best for America. He is going to fight for America even in adverse times. Not only did we as Americans see that, our adversaries saw that.”

Christy Fyle of Wilson, an alternate delegate at the convention, said “everybody was in shock.”

“It was such a tragedy to happen, not just for the country but also for the people at the rally,” Fyle said. “There was loss of life. There were people who were injured. It was really just something that should never have happened. It is un-American. You argue. You stand by what you believe, but you never go violent, and that is where this went, unfortunately.”

‘WE CANNOT BE LIKE THIS’

It isn’t just Republicans expressing their dismay at this act of political violence.

President Joe Biden released a statement soon after the shooting and addressed the nation in a televised appearance before the press later Saturday night.

“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this.”

U.S. Rep. Don Davis, who represents North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, condemned the shooting in a statement Saturday night.

“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald J. Trump, his family and all victims of this horrific act,” Davis said. “I’m grateful for the quick response of the Secret Service and law enforcement community. Political violence is never acceptable under any circumstances, and I strongly denounce this act.”

As someone who’s had family members orphaned by political violence in the Philippines, Wilson County Democratic Party Chair Mahalia Witter-Merithew said she wishes to live in a world where violence is never the answer.

“We were shocked and horrified to hear about the shooting that took place at Trump’s rally yesterday,” Witter-Merithew said. “Our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by the senseless tragedy of this deplorable act. While we don’t agree on all the issues, Republicans are our friends, family members and neighbors. I hope politics will not supersede these human connections.”

N.C. House District 24 Democratic candidate Dante Pittman said it’s wrong to target former presidents and elected leaders with violence.

“It’s antithetical to who we are as Americans,” he said. “We challenge ideas, disagree fervently and compete at the ballot box. We do that because of our duty to come together as Americans at the end of the election process. There is no room in our democratic process for political violence, and we must reject it.”

TRUMP THANKFUL FOR RAPID RESPONSE

In his statement Saturday night, Trump acknowledged those who responded.

“I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, and all of law enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the former president wrote. “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.”

On Sunday, Trump thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

“We will fear not, but instead remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness. … 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,” he wrote.

Rankin said he’s been praying not only for the president, but the families of everyone affected.

“I’m thinking and praying about the families of those that were hurt and killed and obviously President Trump,” Rankin said. “This is a direct result of the vitriolic language being used in this country. I would like to see everybody tone down. We need to focus on plans and policies, not personalities and persons.”

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