On Monday, Secretary of State Wes Allen gave his initial reaction to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, praising the memory of the Pennsylvania firefighter who lost his life in the crossfire.
Alabama politicos have almost ubiquitously come out in support of Trump after the assassination attempt that was inches away from taking his life.
Details are still coming in regarding Saturday's shooting. What is certain is that authorities have identified a 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks as the one who fired at least eight shots from a nearby rooftop during a Trump rally in Butler, Pa. One of the bullets contacted Trump's ear, while the others instantly killed one bystander and seriously injured two more.
Authorities identified Corey Comperatore, a firefighter, as the man killed in the crowd. Compertore's widow said he died while shielding his family from the gunfire.
In the aftermath, Republican lawmakers across the nation have expressed support for Trump while bashing the Democratic rhetoric they believe influenced Crooks' decision to try to assassinate the former president.
Allen gave his initial reaction to the shooting on Monday's appearance on Talk 93.1's "News and Views" with Joey Clark.
Allen described his reaction as "just shock and appall" while glowingly memorializing Competore, observing that he died heroically.
"When I first heard it, the first thing I thought was to get to the television so I can learn more about what's going on," Allen said. "And of course, what could have happened there on live television is just, you don't want to think about it. I'm so glad the good Lord had his hand over that situation for the former president, President Trump."
He continued, "[T]he young man, the guy who perished and the other two that are critically injured still, the more that I learn about that gentleman, that firefighter in that small community who invested in his church, invested in his community, dove and shielded his wife and daughter. And he was just there just listening to the president and participating in the rally. And, you know, I think that's one thing, Joey, we could probably look back on: the sacrifice that guy made. He's just like me and you, it appears from all reports. Just a guy that gets up and goes to work every day. A guy that we could be friends with, you know? It's a shame. It's just heartbreaking that he lost his life because of that evil man on the rooftop."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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