Mark Rice, Candidate to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 8th Congressional District | https://rice4congress.com/press-release/
Mark Rice, Candidate to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 8th Congressional District | https://rice4congress.com/press-release/
Illinois Eighth Congressional District candidate Mark Rice reacted to the incident at former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, saying, "The resilience of President Trump in that moment is the voice of American people saying to never back down." He made the statement in a July 13 Facebook post.
"The assassination on President Trump today goes to show how broken and shattered America is," said Rice, according to Facebook. "The resilience of President Trump in that moment is the voice of American people saying to never back down. Our country needs fighters for freedom in office. We will not cower in the face of violence."
In his Facebook post, Rice’s statement continued: "Our mission is to save Congress from corruption once and for all. God Bless President Trump, God Bless the people of this nation, and God Bless the USA," Rice wrote.
Screenshot of Mark Rice for Congress July 13 Facebook post
| Mark Rice for Congress Facebook page
According to a July 14 report from the Associated Press (AP), the FBI is investigating the rally attack as an act of domestic terrorism. Although the gunman has been identified, his motive is unknown, and authorities think he acted alone, the AP reported. The individual identified as the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, is from Bethel Park, 50 miles from the rally site. He used an AR-style rifle registered to his father in the incident.
A member of local law enforcement did find Crooks, but after the 20-year-old pointed the rifle at the officer, that officer retreated. Crooks’ family is cooperating with authorities, and law enforcement found bomb-making materials in his vehicle and home.
As former President Trump spoke of border crossing numbers, shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks fired as many as eight shots, according to an ABC News timeline of events. Crooks had been seen by rally attendees as he climbed to the roof of a building 400 meters from where Trump spoke but outside the perimeter. When the shots started, Trump reached for his right ear, then looked at his hand and crouched behind the lectern. As Secret Service agents tried to shield Trump by piling on him, he stood and pumped his fist to the crowd before being hustled off stage.
Alerts Sign-up