Georgia leaders from both sides of the political spectrum condemn shooting at Trump rally

“I immediately knew something was wrong, I heard a whistle, gunshots and immediately felt the bullet go through the skin,” he wrote.

The shooting occurred as delegates from Georgia and elsewhere were heading to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to be nominated for a second term.

“What happened today is unconscionable. Violence has no place in the American political system. None,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican. “This attack and any other attack like it cannot be tolerated.”

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a top ally of Democratic President Joe Biden, also weighed in.

“Violence is never acceptable,” the Democrat said. “An attack on a former president is also an attack on our democracy.”

“There is no place for violence against any president or politician, regardless of party or agenda,” said Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch. “Pray for our country.”

Mack Parnell of the conservative group Faith and Freedom Coalition said the group’s prayers are with Trump and the nation.

“Now is the time for us to come together as Americans,” he said.

“There is no place for violence against any president or politician, regardless of party or agenda,” said Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch. “Pray for our country.”

The Carter Center issued a statement saying that while the facts were unclear, “all Americans should be able to assemble peacefully without fear of violence.”

It is unclear how the suspected shooter gained access to the rally. The Secret Service coordinates access to campaign rallies.

Tickets are required to enter Trump’s rallies, but often providing a name and email address on the campaign’s public website is enough. Media outlets are often subject to additional screening of laptops, cameras and other equipment.

Before entering the venue, attendees must pass through magnetometers monitored by Secret Service agents. At Saturday’s event in Pennsylvania, organizers asked attendees to register in advance for tickets.

“I don’t know exactly what just happened,” Georgia Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams wrote on social media, “but what I do know is that political violence is NEVER acceptable.”

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a staunch Trump ally, said it was “unacceptable” for Americans to let political disagreements escalate into violence.

“I pray for our country and stand with President Trump as he attempts to unite the divisions that led to this despicable act,” he said.

Some Georgia Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Mike Collins of Jackson, immediately spread incendiary conspiracy theories about the attack. But leaders in both parties urged caution at such an explosive moment.

“The right thing for all Americans to do is to come together and condemn the attack,” said Democratic Sen. Josh McLaurin. “Democratic senators are praying for Trump’s health.”

Some conservatives have cited the violence to push for looser gun laws. Jerry Henry of the Georgia Second Amendment, a pro-gun group, said it was “another reason why we need guns.”

“If the gun ban had worked, there wouldn’t be anyone shooting Trump today,” he said. “What did they accomplish by banning guns?”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, whose son Jordan Davis was shot and killed 14 years ago, said the violence should draw more attention to efforts to restrict gun laws.

“No one is safe from gun violence in our country,” McBath said. “From a former president to my own son, we cannot tolerate any political violence. My prayers go out to the former president. We can and must do better.”

State elections chief Gabriel Sterling has long warned that heated rhetoric and lies about voter fraud could lead to violence. On Saturday, he warned that “violence has no place in America.”

“This is a heinous act,” Sterling said. “Our political fights are fought with ballots, not bullets.”

Staff writers Patricia Murphy and Maya T. Prabhu contributed to this report.