‘Praying for him:’ Local, state, national leaders react after shots fired at Trump rally

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida, state and national leaders reacted to the news of Donald Trump being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site.

“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he said.

President Joe Biden released a statement about the shooting thanking the Secret Service and saying he is grateful that Trump is safe:

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

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.

Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

President Joe Biden

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

Later in the evening, the GOP posted a statement from from Donald Trump:

The Associated Press announced that the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania is being investigated as an attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, law enforcement officials say.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung

“To know people wait in line for hours to sit in certain spots to be near by the excitement and to have this happen close to them. Unfortunately losing one of the rallygoers today is just heartbreaking,” said Orange County GOP Chair Erin Huntley.

Huntley said she was celebrating her in-laws 50th anniversary in Winter Garden when she learned about the shooting.

“It’s just unbelievable to a lot of people. It just seems like they’re trying to silence Trump in any way possible,” Huntley said.

Huntley said she and her family never expected an incident like this to happen while attending rallies for the former President in the past.

She said the tragedy won’t stop her from attending more in the future.

“I’m one of 247 who are gonna go to Milwaukee for the Republicans National Convention tomorrow. It’s not gonna stop us from nominating President Trump,” Huntley said.

News 6 spoke with former Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón via zoom while he was on vacation in in Ormond Beach about the security protocols for events like this.

“Someone found a path that allowed him to take some shots at the former president. With that said it’s a good assumption to be made, something could be addressed differently in the future to prevent that from happening,” Rolón said.

Rolón served as police chief when former President Trump announced his reelection bid for 2020 election in Orlando. He worked closely with law enforcement and the secret service during the event.

“I think you have to have the answer to the following questions moving for in the investigation,” Rolón said. “What was proximity of this individual to the former President? Was it a small caliber firearm? Was it a long gun or was it as a distance no one could’ve assumed?”

Rolón believes the Secret Service will move quickly to find and release details in the investigation. He also believes shooting at political rallies are rare and the law enforcement will improve ways to or prevent something like this from ever happening again.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida posted on X saying in part, “I’m glad he seems okay, and I am praying for him and all who were at the rally.”

Ron DeSantis also posted on X saying “@CaseyDeSantis and I are praying for Donald Trump and his family.”

Florida congressman Cory Mills said on social media, “May God protect President Trump and keep him and his family in your prayers.”

Former President Barack Obama released a statement on social media that read:

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

Barack Obama

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood released a statement asking for the country to condemn Saturday’s shooting:

“I say this with the knowledge that no one has all the facts out of Pennsylvania yet, and we will learn much more as the investigation proceeds.

All of America has to join in condemning today’s shooting and possible assassination attempt of former President Trump.”

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood

“Violence has no place in American politics,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in social media post which added he and his wife Debbie were praying for Trump’s quick recovery.

Samuel Vilchez Santiago, chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, issued the following statement condemning the shooting.

The Orange County Democratic Party unequivocally condemns any form of political violence. Our democracy rests on our ability to peacefully and civilly disagree with one another.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident of gun violence, including Donald Trump and his supporters.

Orange County Democratic Party Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said in a statement that “Our prayers should be for former President Trump.”

Our prayers should be for former President Trump, his family and America. Violence must be denounced and we must all turn our focus to unifying our country.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings

Former Vice President Mike Pence issued a statement on social media expressing thankfulness that Trump is safe and recovering after the shooting.

Former first lady Melania Trump shared a statement offering sympathy to the families of the victims and lambasting the shooter, calling him “a monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine.”

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: