Wednesday, December 15, 2021
What began as a rally for Donald Trump ended in mere minutes with the former president bloodied and a suspected would-be assassin dead.
The article discusses an attempted assassination at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A shooter armed with an AR-style rifle managed to get close to the former President Trump and fired shots from an elevated position outside the rally venue, injuring Trump and killing a Secret Service personnel. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old nursing-home employee from suburban Pittsburgh, attempted to shoot Trump but was unsuccessful.
The incident has raised concerns about political violence and security measures at political events. President Biden called for rejecting political violence in a national address following the incident. The article also highlights the victims of the shooting and the ongoing investigation into the motive behind the attempted assassination.
Until recently, presidential assassination attempts have only been performed on active presidents. Over the weekend that changed, former U.S. president Donald Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally. Here are a list of failed assassination attempts on past U.S. Presidents:
Over the centuries of the United States being a democratic republic, several individual citizens of our nation have attempted, and sometimes succeeded at assassinating the highest-ranking official in the country. Overall, there have only been 4 successful attempts:
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathizer. The assassination took place at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., while Lincoln was watching a play. Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head and then fled the scene, leading to a nationwide manhunt.
James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was assassinated on July 2, 1881, by Charles J. Guiteau. Guiteau was a disgruntled office seeker who believed he deserved a government position. He shot Garfield twice at a train station in Washington, D.C., leading to Garfield's death two months later due to complications from his injuries.
William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated on September 6, 1901, by Leon Czolgosz. Czolgosz was an anarchist who shot McKinley twice at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley died eight days later from his wounds, making him the third U.S. President to be assassinated.
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine with communist sympathies, was charged with the assassination. Oswald fired shots from a nearby building, hitting Kennedy in the head and neck while he was riding in a motorcade. Kennedy died shortly after the attack, sparking numerous conspiracy theories surrounding his death that last through today.
The rise in mass shootings has become a concerning trend in recent years, posing a significant threat to public safety and security. These tragic events have impacted communities, schools, workplaces, and public spaces, highlighting the need for proactive measures to prevent and respond to such disasters. The expected continued rise in mass shootings underscores the importance of being prepared to survive these scenarios by equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to protect themselves and others in high-risk situations.
To enhance preparedness for mass shootings, individuals can undergo active shooter training, familiarize themselves with emergency response protocols, and develop situational awareness techniques to recognize signs of danger and respond effectively. Establishing communication plans, identifying evacuation routes, and practicing lockdown procedures can help individuals react swiftly and decisively during an active shooter incident, reducing the risk of harm and increasing the chances of survival. By staying informed about active shooter incidents, studying past events for lessons learned, and participating in drills and simulations, individuals can better prepare themselves for the unexpected nature of mass shootings and improve their readiness to respond under pressure.
In addition to individual preparedness, community-wide efforts to enhance security, promote mental health awareness, and implement violence prevention strategies are essential for addressing the root causes of mass shootings and reducing the frequency of these tragic events. Collaboration among law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, educational institutions, workplaces, and community organizations can strengthen resilience, foster a culture of safety, and empower individuals to take proactive steps in preventing and mitigating the impact of mass shootings. By working together to prioritize safety, raise awareness about warning signs, and support one another in times of crisis, communities can build a united front against the threat of mass shootings and create a safer environment for all.
