The offender tried to climb into the event’s press area despite heightened security following July’s attempted assassination.
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.
Trump had a brush with death in July when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks 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.
This guy had an electrifying ⚡️⚡️⚡️ experience at the Trump rally and got a free ride to jail. You could actually hear the taser. 😂😂
⚡️ FAFO ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/oxvE4ows1l
— ❥❥❥ᗰoᒪᒪie❥❥❥ (@mollie_don) August 30, 2024
BREAKING: A man at Trump’s rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, stormed into the press area as the former president spoke Friday but was surrounded by police and sheriff’s deputies and was eventually subdued with a Taser.
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 31, 2024
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.
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.
