Trump shooting live updates: Americans react, 'This is like a third world country'

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 9:04 PM CST |

Former President Donald Trump called for unity and resilience Sunday after an attempt on his life injected fresh uncertainty into an already tumultuous presidential campaign, while President Joe Biden implored Americans to “cool it down” in the final stretch and “resolve our differences at the ballot box.”

The opponents' statements followed an attack that shook the firmament of the American political system, causing at least a temporary detente in a heated presidential campaign expected to resume again in earnest amid the pageantry of the upcoming Republican National Convention.

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UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 6:38 PM CST |

Global leaders expressed concern Sunday over an assassination attempt targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump on July 13 that left one attendee dead and critically injured two others.

U.S. authorities are still investigating the shooting.

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UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 5:12 PM CST |

The FBI said they believe the AR-style rifle the Trump rally shooter used was legally purchased by the gunman’s father, according to the Associated Press. 

Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office, told reporters that authorities don’t yet know how the shooter gained access to the weapon, and whether he took it without his father’s knowledge.

“These are facts that we'll flesh out as we conduct interviews,” Rojek said. Authorities recovered the weapon at the scene of the shooting.

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 4:42 PM CST |

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters that the Justice Department has “no tolerance for such violence and as Americans we must have no tolerance for it.”

“This must stop,” he said.

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 4:27 PM CST |

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley will speak Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in what will be a highly anticipated speech by former President Donald Trump’s last major challenger in this year’s GOP primary.

Haley, who was also elected twice as South Carolina governor, initially was not among the list of speakers but has since been added to the schedule, according to Haley spokesperson Chaney Denton.

The schedule change was confirmed by a Republican official who is familiar with the convention plans but was not authorized to speak publicly, according to the Associated Press. 

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 4PM CST |

The apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a rally Saturday did not prompt any changes to the U.S. Secret Service’s security plan for the Republican National Convention that starts Monday, said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s coordinator for the convention, at a press briefing Sunday.

“We are fully prepared and have a comprehensive security plan in place and are ready to go,” Gibson-Cicchino said.

Additionally, the FBI, the lead intelligence agency for the RNC in Milwaukee, said it has seen no known “specific and articulated threats" against the convention or anyone attending the event.

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 3:30PM CST |

In an address from the White House on Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden spoke about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, stating, “There’s no place for this kind of violence – any violence for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It’s not who we are.”

He spoke about the importance of national unity and promised to speak on the subject more during an Oval Office address Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 3:03 PM CST |

Firefighter and father of two, Corey Comperatore was killed during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday.

Comperatore was one of the thousands of people who attended the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, part of Trump’s 2024 reelection effort. He died trying to protect his family, according to the governor. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed his identity on Sunday.

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UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 2:27PM CST |

First time delegate to the RNC in Milwaukee, a man who only gave his first name, Michael was watching the rally as the shooting took place. Sunday afternoon, he spoke to the The News on Merit Street’s Lyndsay Keith. 

“The first thing I did was scream at my wife. I’m scared for my country. Scared for my president. And it’s not a political thing. It’s not partisan and it’s not because he’s a man. He was the leader of our country and very well may be again."

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 1:30PM CST |

Bexar County, Texas Republican Gina Castañeda, also spoke to Merit Street Media.

A member of Latinos for Trump, she expressed her shock at the apparent assassination attempt.

“I had to sit down just to take in what was going on. And after that, it just invigorated to work harder for him to get elected. But I was more upset that someone would do that to him.”

When asked how she thought the shooting impacts voters, Castañeda, said “I think it will invigorate them, slowly they will say ‘enough is enough.’ We have to all unite and work together.”

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 1PM CST |

There's a collective spread of sympathy for both Donald Trump and the victims of Saturday's apparent assassination attempt of the former president. Many Americans, and people across the globe have joined the former president in expressing their outrage mixed with sorrow and love for the victims. 

The News on Merit Street’s Lyndsay Keith caught up with one of them ahead of this week's Republican National Convention, Harrison County, Texas Republican Party Chair Lee Lester.

"I think this country has plunged into the depths of... somewhere I never thought this country would go. There's no value for life anymore," shared Lester. "When if you want to get rid of your opponent, instead of standing on the stage and debating them on the issues, that you try to remove them. This is more like a third world country."

UPDATE | July 14, 2024, 7:51 AM CST |

In the wake of Saturday's apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, many have joined the former president in expressing their outrage mixed with gratitude and love for the victims. 

Sunday morning, Trump shared his gratitude on Truth Social saying, “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."