The offender tried to climb into the event’s press area amid heightened security in the wake of July’s shooting
Police officers used a taser on a man who was trying to get into the press area at a Donald Trump rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Friday. This happened as security was increased at the Republican nominee’s events after last month’s attempt to kill him.
On July 13, Trump nearly died when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The would-be killer had set up on a nearby rooftop that gave him a clear view of Trump. The man fired several shots, one of which grazed the former president’s right ear. One person at the rally was killed and two others were seriously hurt. The shooter was killed by the Secret Service returning fire.
According to media reports, the man got over a bicycle rack around the TV reporters and cameras and started climbing the back of a platform where they were sitting.
This guy had an electrifying ⚡️⚡️⚡️ experience at the Trump rally and got a free ride to jail. You could actually hear the taser. 😂😂
⚡️ FAFO ⚡️
— ❥❥❥ᗰoᒪᒪie❥❥❥ (@mollie_don)
People near the area tried to pull the offender off the structure, and police officers finally stopped him with the help of a taser.
This happened shortly after Trump criticized the media for what he called unfair coverage of his presidential campaign and a supposed bias in favor of his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.
The crowd cheered the police as they took the man away, and the GOP hopeful said: “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”
It’s not clear what made the offender do this, or if he was a Trump supporter or opponent.
Soon after, law enforcement officers put handcuffs on another man in the crowd and took him away from the event. It’s still not known if this was related to the original incident.