Butler County’s top prosecutor said Sunday the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was “embarrassing” for all officials involved in securing the large outdoor rally after the chaotic shooting left the Republican frontrunner injured and killed an audience member in the grandstands.
District Attorney Richard Goldinger spoke about the Saturday campaign event with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette near the scene of the shooting that also saw two other attendees wounded.
The victim who was killed was identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief of Buffalo Township in Pennsylvania. Those who were struck by gunfire but survived were also identified as men.
“It’s embarrassing that this would happen here,” Mr. Goldinger told the newspaper. “This hasn’t happened in more than 40 years — to have an attempt on a president’s life.”
FBI officials identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
U.S. Secret Service agents killed the gunman seconds after shots were fired at the former president, who had a bullet graze his right ear.
Trump was treated at a hospital before being released late Saturday night.
Secret Service officials said the gunman opened fire from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue.”
Bystander videos shared with TMZ appeared to capture the alleged gunman in position on a rooftop before shots were fired.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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