The offender tried to climb into the event’s press area amid heightened security in the wake of July’s shooting
Police officers tasered a man who was attempting to force his way into the press area at a Donald Trump rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Friday. The incident came amid heightened security measures at the Republican nominee’s pre-election events following last’s month’s failed attempt on his life.
On July 13, Trump had a brush with death when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The would-be assassin had taken position on a nearby rooftop that gave him an unobstructed view of his target. The man fired several rounds, one of which grazed the former president’s right ear. One rally attendee was killed and two others were seriously injured. The shooter was subsequently killed by return fire from the Secret Service.
According to media reports, the man made it over a bicycle rack surrounding TV reporters and cameras, and began climbing the back of a riser where they were perched.
Attendees near the area tried to pull the offender off the structure, with police officers eventually subduing him with the help of a taser.
The incident came shortly after Trump took a swipe at the media over what he described as unfavorable coverage of his presidential campaign and an alleged bias in favor of his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.
READ MORE: US Secret Service to get military support ahead of election – Pentagon
The crowd cheered the police as they led the man away, with the GOP hopeful quipping: “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”
It is not clear what motivated the offender, and whether he was a Trump supporter or opponent.
Soon thereafter, law enforcement personnel handcuffed another man in the crowd and escorted him from the event. It remains unknown whether his detention had anything to do with the original incident.
