Philadelphia leaders condemn Trump assassination attempt

State and local leaders and elected officials strongly condemned a shooting at a campaign rally Saturday evening that left former President Donald Trump with a wound to his ear.

Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred at an event in Western Pennsylvania, as an attempted assassination. One spectator was reportedly killed and two others were seriously injured and hospitalized in critical condition.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, speaking at a news conference Sunday in Butler, near the site of the rally, described the attack as “absolutely unacceptable and tragic.”

“This is a moment where all leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity,” he added. “Where all leaders need to take down the temperature, and rise above the hateful rhetoric that exists, and search for a better, brighter future for this nation.”

Shapiro identified the deceased victim as Corey Comperatore, a husband, father, firefighter, and “avid supporter of the former president.” The governor said he spoke to Comperatore’s wife.

“She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero,” he told reporters. “That Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”

The Democrats who dominate city politics rarely find common ground with Trump. Nevertheless, they did not hesitate to denounce violence targeting the GOP presidential nominee.

“No matter what our political differences are during any election year, violence is against everything we uphold in our democracy,” City Council President Kenyatta Johsnon said in a statement. “My prayers go out to Trump and his family and to all of the innocent people who were injured or killed at the rally.”

Mayor Cherelle Parker wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “violence has no place in American politics.”

Omar Sabir, chair of the City Commissioners, who oversee Philadelphia’s elections, is planning to host a news conference Monday morning to condemn the shooting and call for peace.

“Yesterday’s tragic event reminds us that we must continually work to strengthen our democracy by exercising our rights and condemning acts of political violence,” he said in a statement Sunday.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who will appear on the ballot alongside Trump in November, asked his followers on X to consider donating to a fundraiser for the victims authorized by the former president.

His Democratic opponent, incumbent Senator Bob Casey, also condemned the shooting in his home state.

Archbishop Nelson Perez, the leader of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic Church, called on residents to pray for Trump, the other victims of the rally, and those mourning the loss of a loved one.

“Americans must join in solidarity to condemn today’s act of political violence and violence in all forms,” he said in a statement late Saturday night. “Working together, we can resolve our differences through peaceful dialogue and conquer the sin of hatred.”