Like those around the world, DeKalb County residents were shocked Saturday afternoon after news came in concerning an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as he campaigned at an outdoor rally in Butler, PA. Many were glued to the television and social media, learning on the tragic events that ended with two dead and three, including President Trump, wounded.

At 6:05 p.m. Trump walks onto the stage in Butler, PA, in front of an estimated 15,000 supporters. Just six minutes later, as Trump was turned towards a screen that highlighted immigration statistics, gunshots could be heard, followed by Trump grabbing his ear, then getting down on the floor. Immediately, the former president was swarmed by Secret Service agents who crouch on top of him, shielding him from any other gunfire.

Just 150 yards away, a gunman had scaled a building and perched on a rooftop before taking aim at President Trump. Authorities say 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, PA, fired six shots from an AR-style rifle at Trump, and the crowd, before he was shot dead by Secret Service snipers from another rooftop.

Unfortunately, three people in the grandstands around the venue were struck with bullets, with one man sustaining a fatal head would. Authorities say that Corey Comperatore had tried to shield his wife and daughters from the gunfire when he was shot in the head. He died at the scene.

Two other men in the stands were also shot, 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township. Both men were listed in stable condition.

Trump was reportedly struck in the right ear, only centimeters from a fatal head shot. He could be seen on stage, surrounded by agents and with blood dripping down his face, pumping his fist in the air and yelling “Fight!” before being whisked off stage into a waiting vehicle.

President Joe Biden would later release a statement saying, "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."

Later that evening, Trump issued a statement saying, "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," he said. He thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their rapid response and also offered his condolences to the family of Comperatore and the others injured.

Some local politicians also released statements offering prayers and condolences. DeKalb County Mayor Matt Adcock was quoted as saying, "Most sincere prayers for President Trump and all those that were injured or killed during this grotesque attempt of an assassination. Despite political affiliation, this type of behavior is unacceptable. We witnessed a true act of evil.”

“In a divided country, we must come together to pray for our nation. I would like to thank the Secret Service, First Responders, and all other Public Safety for their swift actions. This is a sad day for the United States of America. God bless America and protect us from the evil of this world."

DeKalb County Republican Chairman Ryan Mollinet stated, “We are deeply saddened by the events that took place on July 13th, 2024. There’s is no place in America for political violence. We are thankful that President Trump is alive and well and our thoughts and prayers go out to him, and all the families

Trump continued to Milwaukee, WI, this week for the Republican National Convention, where he was greeted by supporters.