Former President Donald Trump addressed the mass school shooting in Georgia during his Fox News town hall event in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the upcoming election. He expressed his condolences and pledged to take action to combat violence and unrest if re-elected.
Speaking from the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Trump acknowledged the tragic incident at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, where a 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, opened fire, killing two students and two teachers, and injuring nine others.
“It’s a sick and angry world for a lot of reasons and we’re going to make it better. We’re going to heal our world. We’re going to get rid of all these wars that are starting all over the place because of incompetence,” Trump stated.
He also made a connection between the shooting and the heightened security measures surrounding his public events, referencing the assassination attempt on his life in July.
“We’re going to hopefully do very well. We have an election coming up … We’re going to be, I think, we’re going to be very well set up to do a great job,” Trump added, highlighting his focus on the upcoming election.
The town hall event in Pennsylvania took place just one week before Trump is set to debate Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia.
Following the shooting, law enforcement swiftly responded and apprehended Gray, who surrendered to officers on scene. He is now facing murder charges and will be prosecuted as an adult.
Trump’s remarks underscore the prominence of gun violence and school safety in the current political landscape, particularly as the 2024 presidential election draws closer. His comments highlight the sensitive nature of these issues and their impact on the campaign trail.
