NEW ORLEANS — A shooting at former President Donald Trump's rally left the former president with blood on his face after a shot that he said struck him in the ear. One attendee was killed, according to CBS. Local state and political figures took to social media and issued statements regarding the incident.
WWL Louisiana's Rachel Handley spoke with U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy about his reactions to shooting.
"It's terrible. I remember going to medical school in New Orleans when Ronald Reagan was shot," Cassidy said. "As the same sort of thing, somebody is trying to influence the course of our country by political violence. All violence is wrong, but political violence particularly against the president or presidential candidate is the worst."
Cassidy said he was not officially briefed but was in contact with someone who works with U.S. Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who was at the event and told him what was going on.
"He said one, it was chaotic. But that it was chaotic even before they started. They had 50,000 people at the last event and the venue chosen for this, only held 7,000. So the rows were packed, there was a lot of excitement and a lot of pressing together," Cassidy said.
Cassidy said he asked if there were any fights and was told it was "nothing like that" just a lot of people wanting to enter the "too small" venue. He also said Rep. Mike Kelly was okay.
Cassidy said the incident doesn't just affect the person whose hurt, it affects all of us.
"The very fact that someone tries to influence the future of our country by political assassination is awful. I'm almost sorry the shooter is already dead because it would allow us to try and make an example of why this should never-ever happen."
He said its "too soon" and "not the right moment" to talk about the politics of this.
Other state leaders like House Majority Leader Steve Scalise took to social media platforms like X.
"For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America. Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop," Scalise tweeted.
Councilmember Helena Moreno also took to X stating, "This is a shocking event. We are a democracy. Any acts of violence against elected leaders or candidates for public office should never be tolerated. My thoughts and prayers are with the former President and anyone else impacted today."
Congressman Troy Carter issued a statement regarding the shooting.
“Violence has no place in political discourse, regardless of our vehement philosophical differences. We must stand united against such actions and uphold the principles of democracy and respect.”
Parish President Mike Cooper posted on Facebook stating, "The attempt to take President Trump’s life this evening at a political rally is deeply disturbing. Now, more than ever, we need unity and civility in our society and daily lives. Please join me in praying for him, the victims of this heinous act, and our nation."
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.