Donald Trump returns to Butler after attempted assassination

Donald Trump is scheduled to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of the attack that injured the former president during a July rally.

As a result of the events that took place on July 13 at the Butler Farm Show, one person is dead and two others were hospitalized.

The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot and killed at the scene by US Secret Service agents.

As the former president and current Republican Party candidate prepares to hold another rally in the same location on October 5, the city of Butler continues to grapple with the trauma of the event.

“I have consulted with at least 500 people since this incident,” said Shanea Clancy, a local mental health consultant.

Clancy explained that many Butler residents struggle with anxiety and even signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The main theme, if you can say that, is simply, ‘How did something like this happen in our backyard?’” she said. “People don’t expect trauma to show up at their door every day.”

Trump’s return is seen as crucial to his voter mobilization efforts in Pennsylvania, a swing state he won in 2016 and narrowly lost in 2020.

Butler County, a Republican stronghold, has strongly supported Trump in the past. However, recent political changes have raised questions about whether this support will remain strong.

On Saturday, he will speak in the same place where thousands of supporters witnessed the chaos surrounding the attack several months ago.

Former Buffalo Township Fire Company Chief Corey Comperatore was killed in the attack and two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were injured.

In the aftermath, rallies gathered in prayer circles, with many residents now wondering how close they came to tragedy.

Sally Sarvey, a retired food service worker, plans to attend the rally again, but remains cautious. “I hope they will have more safeguards that will work faster,” she said.

As the rally approaches, safety is top of mind for many.

Graffiti with the word “fight” reflecting Trump’s comments after the shooting appeared in Butler County in the weeks after the incident.

In some areas, this was countered by spray-painted messages of “love”, reflecting the tension and division in the community.

For some, the assassination attempt remains a sensitive and unresolved issue.

“A lot of people are asking questions,” said Jim Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee.

The investigation by state police, the FBI and Congress is ongoing, and records requests have come into Butler County five times since the shooting.

Steve Bicehouse, Butler’s director of emergency services, admitted the shooting had taken a toll. “The last few months have been a difficult time,” he said.

While Trump’s return has sparked mixed reactions, some residents are ready to move on.

“I have mixed feelings about this, but I am committed to moving forward,” said Kim Geyer, a Republican county commissioner.

He believes the rally will attract Trump’s core supporters, while those still affected by the tragedy will likely stay home.

Work is already underway to commemorate this event. Local artist Bill Secunda created a life-size sculpture of Trump depicting him moments after the shooting with his right hand raised and his fist clenched.

The sculpture on display at the Butler Farm Show is very popular and has been offered for $50,000.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press