CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) said Monday that America needs to “pull itself together” following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“We have to stop the violence, right? That’s all. We have to end the hatred and tolerance of violence,” Governor Justice said during his press conference on Monday.
The West Virginia governor and candidate for the US Senate later said in the press conference: “We were about to lose the next president of the United States of America, a president we had just a few years ago. And also – and that’s not all – we almost lost a really dear friend.”
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said a bullet entered the upper part of his right ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He has since described the assassination attempt as a “very surreal experience.”
Corey Comperatore, a rally participant, was killed in the attack, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said via Nexstar. Comperatore was a former fire chief in the area.
“In the stands directly in front of me, a man sustained a gunshot wound and died instantly,” rally attendee Joseph Meyn told NewsNation. “It was a direct hit. His body fell instantly to the stands.”
At least two other people were injured Saturday: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Both were in stable condition Sunday.
The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. His motive was unclear as of Monday morning. The FBI said the incident was being investigated as a possible act of domestic terrorism.
President Biden said in a prime-time address from the Oval Office on Sunday: “There is no place for this kind of violence in America – for any kind of violence. Ever. Period. No exceptions.”
Several prominent West Virginia politicians have issued statements following Saturday’s incidents.
Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) said on Sunday, among other things: “Every day we see increasingly violent language being used to demonize and vilify the other side. There is no room for discussion or debate. Love of country has been replaced by hatred of anyone who claims to support the other party.”
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said in a statement: “Violence of any kind has absolutely no place in our country and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Like many Americans, I have questions about this attack and it is important that we understand how and why this horrific act of violence occurred.”
Republican Rep. Carol Miller of West Virginia said: “I am grateful to the Secret Service for acting quickly and arresting the shooter. At the same time, I hope we get answers to the many questions surrounding the attack so that something similar cannot happen in the future. God bless President Trump and God bless America.”
Hollis Lewis, a Democratic representative from Kanawha County, told Nexstar’s WOWK on Monday: “I think we’re seeing two sides here that have drifted way too far apart, and we need to get back to the middle so we can have conversations even when we don’t agree.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
