In a surprising turn of events, Kenyan President William Ruto has issued a statement condemning the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, taken th eto recommit to the democratic ideals Kenyan share with the US.
Former President Donald Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt at a western Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday night that killed one attendee and seriously injured two others.
“On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of Kenya, I wish to add my voice to those condemning the recent attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Ruto said.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to President Trump, his family, and the families of the victims of this shocking, heinous act.”
The Kenyan leader went on to express his commitment to shared democratic ideals with the United States, stating, “In these troubling times, I take this opportunity to recommit to the democratic ideals we share with the people of the United States of America.”
Within seconds, agents laid across Trump with their bodies to protect him as screams from the crowd were punctuated by shots that continued to ring out.
Trump remained on the ground for about a minute, surrounded, until a voice could be heard telling the former president and his protection, “shooter is down.”
When he stood back up, supported by agents, he appeared injured, with blood streaking red from his ear across his cheek.
The FBI identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, in a statement early Sunday morning.
Law enforcement officials said at a press conference late Saturday night that they had not yet identified a motive for the attack, and the investigation was ongoing.
The chaos in Butler, Pennsylvania, began around 6:15 p.m., when multiple shots rang out at the rally.
Trump was in the first minutes of his campaign speech talking about immigration and border crossings, when he turned towards a large screen to share a chart with the crowd.
That’s the moment when three pops sounded out. Trump touched his right ear and quickly lowered himself to the ground as secret service agents called for him to “get down.”
Within seconds, agents laid across Trump with their bodies to protect him as screams from the crowd were punctuated by shots that continued to ring out.
Trump remained on the ground for about a minute, surrounded, until a voice could be heard telling the former president and his protection, “shooter is down.”
When he stood back up, supported by agents, he appeared injured, with blood streaking red from his ear across his cheek.
