Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Legislators who represent Beaufort County are sharing their reactions to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13. It is being investigated by the FBI as an assassination attempt, according to national news outlets. 

Trump was wounded in the middle of delivering a speech. He was interrupted by multiple gunshots at approximately 6:15 p.m. A bullet struck Trump’s right ear causing blood to run down his face. U.S. Secret Service agents swiftly pulled him down to protect him as more gunshots could be heard, national news outlets reported. Secret Service agents worked quickly to get Trump to a nearby SUV and take him to a hospital. 

A spectator who was killed at the rally has been identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore – a firefighter in the area. He attempted to shield his family from gunfire. Two other spectators were critically injured and taken to a hospital. 

The gunman was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service confirmed he was fatally shot by a Secret Service sniper. It is believed that Crooks operated alone. 

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis held a press conference on Monday, July 15 where he told reporters, “there’s no rationale ever for violence.”  

“We’ve seen that play out all too many times over the past several years. Whether it’s the riots in Kenosha [Wisconsin], some of the violent events on January 6, or any one in between. There’s no place for that kind of violence and certainly not for the deadly violence we saw on Saturday,” he continued.  

U.S. Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC 3rd District) shared a statement with news outlets on Saturday writing, “today is a grave day in American history. While the news is still unfolding, I am deeply shaken by the likely assassination attempt on President Trump on the campaign trail. I’m grateful that he was capable of walking off the stage, and thank law enforcement for their swift action. My prayers are with President Trump, his family, his staff, and for this nation.”

North Carolina State Senator Jim Perry (R-NC District 7) posted his sentiments to Facebook stating, “This has gone too far.  I don’t care about who you are, who you support, or any other trivial issue. If you think political violence is the answer, you ARE the problem.”

Representative Keith Kidwell (R-NC District 79) spoke with the Daily News and said the assassination attempt is an example of how political rhetoric can be a “motivator” which drives people to commit violent acts. 

“We’ve gotten to a point where the political rhetoric has become a motivator to make people do what this young man did this weekend,” Kidwell said. 

Kidwell continued to say that he believes in “the power of prayer” and that many people across the nation have prayed for Trump’s recovery. Trump was taken to a hospital on Saturday and released hours later, national news outlets report. 

“I think this weekend’s events show that there is a shield of protection around him that is brought about by our Lord, because if his head would have been moved in any direction by more than an inch or so, he would be dead now,” Kidwell said. 

The Beaufort County Republican Party held a prayer vigil at their headquarters on Sunday, July 14. They prayed for Trump, the Republican National Committee and the nation. They also prayed for the Comperatore family, the spectators who were critically injured and for the remainder of the election season, according to the party’s Facebook page. 

Chairman of the Beaufort County Republican Party, Carolyn Garris, shared the local party’s view on the assassination attempt. She wrote in an email to the Daily News:

“The events of the past 48 hours have had a traumatic impact on our nation and our local communities. The recent assassination attempt on [former] President Trump has brought an already tense nation to a crossroads. As I read the violent rhetoric online today, I feel this attempt to assassinate a Presidential nominee has emboldened some people. We have entered the danger zone and now is the time to let the opponents run on their merits, abilities, and accomplishments,

Our prayers are with the Corey Comperatore family. Mr. Comperatore was shot while shielding his wife and daughters from the incoming bullets. We also pray for the two critically injured attendees who have now stabilized. Our prayers continue for our nation. It is okay to disagree. Violence and hate are never the solution,

So, where do we go from here? We will unite and run on the issues that will strengthen the United States. The Republican Party will focus on a better economy, more job opportunities, and protecting the constitutional rights of our citizens. The Republican Party will continue to support President Donald J. Trump…” 

Braver Angels is a nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to strengthen communities through depolarization. Following the assassination attempt, they published a list of things people can do leading up to the presidential election in November to help decrease violent rhetoric across the nation.

They wrote,