Tennessee leaders react to deadly shooting at Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally
The weekend shooting at a Pennsylvania rally for former President Donald Trump reverberated Sunday across Tennessee, where Gov. Bill Lee and other leaders rallied behind the likely 2024 GOP presidential nominee just days before the start Republican National Convention.
Trump was addressing a crowd of supporters at 6:15 p.m. when gunshots rang out. A bullet grazed Trump's upper right ear, leaving him visibly bloodied, but not seriously injured, before he was escorted off-stage.
According to authorities, one rally attendee, confirmed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as former volunteer Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, was killed in the gunfire. Two others, whose names have not been confirmed, were "critically injured."
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said Saturday on X, formerly Twitter, that his nephew was among those injured at Trump’s rally in Butler.
“My family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking. They heard shots ringing out — my nephew then realized he had blood on his neck and something had grazed and cut his neck,” he wrote.
A GoFundMe created by Meredith O'Rourke, the national finance director and senior advisor for the Trump Campaign, to assist the families of the victims has raised nearly $1.2 million since it opened, with Nashville musician Kid Rock in the top donation slot with a $50,000 donation.
The shooter was later identified as 20 year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a registered Republican voter with no criminal background.
More: Trump rally shooter Thomas Crooks identified: What we know
Shortly after the incident, U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted on X that "a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue."
He added: "US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Trump issued a statement thanking law enforcement and expressing concern for those injured and killed. He said he heard the "whizzing sound" of the bullet and shots and felt the "bullet ripping through the skin" that pierced his upper right ear.
Trump wrote on social media: "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. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead."
President Joe Biden wrote: "I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information."
Here’s how local leaders are reacting:
Gov. Bill Lee
Shortly after the news broke, Lee posted a statement to social media.
"Maria & I ask Tennesseans to join us in praying for President Trump & his family, & all who were in attendance at today’s rally in Pennsylvania," he said.
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-TN
"Pray for our President @realDonaldTrump," Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said in a social media statement. "He is the strongest person I know."
Hagerty also posted a photo of Trump pumping his fist in the air with an American flag waving behind him as he was being escorted off of the rally stage.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville
"As we wait for more news on @realDonaldTrump, join me in praying for him, his family and all the attendees at today’s rally in Pennsylvania," wrote Sexton, R-Nashville.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN
"Join me in praying for President Trump and the law enforcement personnel who are tending to him and citizens at the scene," Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a social media statement.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti
"Cowardly violence has no place in US elections," Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a social media statement. "God bless the Secret Service for putting their bodies on the line to protect President Trump. We pray for President Trump's health following the attack, for the safety of both candidates, and for the stability of our republic."
He also reposted Lee's statement.
Tennessee Rep. William Lamberth, R- Portland
"I #standwithTrump and will fight every single day between now and November 5th to guarantee he will be our President again," said Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland), calling the shooting by Crooks, who was a registered Republican voter in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, a "leftist attack" that created "millions of patriots."
"This is way beyond politics now and just became personal."
Tennessee Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis
“Praying for President Trump and all attendees at today’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, said on social media. “This was an appalling and heinous attack.”
Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville
Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) urged followers on social media to join him in donating to Trump's reelection campaign, as well as pray for the candidate, in light of the Saturday night incident.
"Pray for President Trump and his family," Garrett said on social media. "The violent rhetoric directed toward him has no place in our society. Trump has always stood strong and my family stands with him. We will take this country back and win in November."
Tennessee Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville
“Political violence has no place in our country,” Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, said in a statement on social media. “Praying for safety for President Trump and hope he makes a safe recovery.”
Tennessee Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville
"There is and must be no place for political violence in this country, and people of good faith on all sides should come together not just to condemn it, but to build something better," Yarbro, D-Nashville, wrote on X.
"Today’s shooting was tragic and terrifying. Praying for all who were in attendance, especially those who were injured. But especially proud of the Secret Service rushing into danger and doing its job to protect the former president."
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis
“Violence has no place in political arena or America,” Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said in a statement on social media. “It’s antithetical to our political system. Elections are won or lost at the polls. Thankfully Trump wasn’t killed.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia
“President Trump is an American hero,” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, said in a statement on social media. “Join me in praying for him and the innocent rally attenders in Pennsylvania. This is a dark day in American history.”
Ogles has long been a vocal supporter of Trump and reposted several other statements in support of the former president Saturday, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s endorsement of Trump.
Tennessee Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon
"It brings great sorrow anytime our nation has an attack on our leaders’ life," wrote Pody, R-Lebanon. "We want to pray for those who lost their lives and who were injured as well. We want to thank God for protecting President Trump. This is a good time for what we’re doing in Tennessee – Tennessee is having a month of prayer and fasting. We want God to heal our land."
Staff writer Andy Humbles contributed to this report.
Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at [email protected]. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.
The USA Today Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Reach Angele Latham by email at [email protected], by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Donald Trump rally shooting: Tennessee leaders react
