Mississippi leaders voice support and prayers after assassination attempt on Donald Trump
Mississippi’s leaders asked for prayers Saturday evening after what authorities are describing as an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally for former President Donald Trump.
A series of loud pops rang out, then Secret Service agents tackled the former president, whose ear and face were bloodied. A Trump spokesman said Saturday night the former President “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Authorities said a shooter and one person who attended the rally are dead. Two spectators were critically injured after the suspected shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” according to the Secret Service.
Gov. Tate Reeves posted on social media Saturday evening and asked for prayers for the former president.
“Pray for the Trump family!” Reeves wrote. “Pray for the attendees at the rally! And please...pray for America!”
Much about the chaos remained unclear Saturday night. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania named Thomas Matthew Crooks. No additional information was released about him Sunday morning.
“Prayers for President Trump,” Sen. Roger Wicker posted. “Glad he was able to walk away.”
Rep. Mike Ezell, the former Jackson County sheriff who represents South Mississippi in congress, thanked first responders and Secret Service “for their quick action.”
He said he and his wife are “praying for President Trump.”
President Joe Biden and Democrats around the country condemned the violence and expressed relief that Trump did not appear to be badly hurt.
“Political violence is wrong against anyone, anywhere, anytime,” Brandon Presley, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Reeves in the governor’s race last year, wrote on social media.
State Rep. Kevin Felsher, a Republican who represents parts of Harrison County, condemned the scene at the rally and offered support for Trump.
“Pray that our Country can be a place where civil discourse can occur without violence,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are better than this.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
This story was originally published July 13, 2024 at 6:49 PM.