Police in Los Angeles on high alert after Trump assassination attempt

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, law enforcement in the greater Los Angeles area remained on heightened alert Sunday, although no threats were known locally.

“The LAPD is monitoring the shooting that occurred (Saturday) in Pennsylvania involving former President Trump, and there is no known threat or connection to the city of Los Angeles,” LAPD interim chief Dominic Choi said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

“We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure Los Angeles remains safe.”

Choi continued, “We are grateful to hear that former President Trump is safe and shocked to learn that innocent participants were killed and others seriously injured.”

“We must condemn this violence and remember – what happened (on Saturday) in Pennsylvania is unacceptable and tragic and has no place in America. All people and political affiliations have a place here.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a similar statement.

“We are closely monitoring the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump and are working with our federal and local partners to ensure the safety of our communities in Los Angeles County,” the agency said on X.

“The department will continue to monitor this incident and increase patrols as a precaution. There are currently no specific or credible threats to Los Angeles County.”

The Long Beach Police Department issued its own statement.

“We are aware of the security incident in Pennsylvania and are in constant contact with our partners in the area. We will have an increased police presence,” the LBPD posted Saturday. “As always, ‘If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity by calling police at 562.435.6711. In emergencies, call 9-1-1.”

Meanwhile, state and local authorities condemned the shooting that left two people, including the gunman, dead and two others seriously injured. Trump was wounded by a bullet that he said “pierced the top of my right ear.”

Governor Gavin Newsom said: “Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone affected at the rally today.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said: “What happened in Pennsylvania today is unacceptable and tragic. Political violence has no place in our country. I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with everyone affected tonight.”

Los Angeles County Councilwoman Janice Hahn wrote on X: “While I disagree with his policies, I firmly believe that former President Trump and all candidates have the right to campaign openly and without fear of violence. This is a cornerstone of our democracy. There is no place for political violence in the United States.”

Representative Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) also responded: “I am appalled by this apparent assassination attempt. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. I am grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and the intelligence community. I wish President Trump a speedy recovery.”

Steve Garvey, the former Republican baseball star who is running against Schiff for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Dianne Feinstein, said in a statement: “My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump for a speedy recovery and with the families of the innocent supporters of the rally who were tragically affected.”

“We must also recognize and thank the bravery of the members of the Secret Service who courageously protected the former President and all in attendance.”

Current California Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler expressed similar sentiments on social media.

“There is no place for political violence in our democracy,” Padilla wrote. “I am thinking of the former president and the participants of his rally. I am grateful for the quick intervention of the police to protect the participants.”

Butler added: “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family, as well as all Americans who attended the rally. We must not allow political violence to become acceptable in our democracy.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said: “As someone whose family has been a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”

The Los Angeles County Republican Party stated in a post on X: “God be with President Trump. Hate and violence are NEVER the answer.”

Jessica Millan Patterson, chairwoman of the California Republican Party, said: “Please join me in praying for President Trump and for our country.”

The Orange County Republican Party said: “The assassination attempt (on Saturday) on President Trump should shake the soul of our country. As Americans, the future of our country has always been decided by the voice of the American people.”

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber looked back on a “life” in which she had witnessed “too many acts of political violence in America.”

“Over the past decades, too many people have been injured or killed because of their beliefs. We resolve political differences at the ballot box, through activism, and by participating in political discourse. There is absolutely no place for political violence. My sincere heart goes out to the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy. We pray for the former president and those injured to recover quickly. We will keep those who lost their lives and their families in our prayers.”

“As … Secretary of State, I am committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe to participate in every aspect of the political process. Everyone has the right to express their political views, speak out, attend rallies, hold signs, serve as a poll worker, and vote. We must work together to protect the integrity of our democratic system and the safety of our communities.”

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, grabbed his right ear and ducked to the ground after several gunshots were heard during a campaign speech on Saturday afternoon.

He was surrounded by secret service agents and taken away from the scene after being photographed with his face obviously covered in blood.

The Secret Service issued a statement on the shooting: “During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected gunman fired multiple shots at the stage from an elevated position outside the venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the gunman, who has since died. The U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and former President Trump is safe. One bystander was killed and two bystanders were seriously injured. This incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”

According to the FBI, the dead and the two seriously injured were men.

The deceased man was identified by family members on Sunday as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a volunteer fire chief in the nearby Buffalo Township community who was reportedly protecting his wife and daughter from gunfire when he was fatally struck by a bullet.