The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and European officials expressed shock and condemnation following the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on the weekend.
Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign event on Saturday after a major security lapse, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s presidential race and fuel fears of escalating political violence.
The Secret Service said the shooter was dead, one attendee at the rally was killed, and two other spectators were injured. Corey Comperatore, a retired fire chief, has been identified as the individual who was fatally shot when a gunman fired from a rooftop close to Mr. Trump’s campaign rally.
Twenty-year-old Pennsylvanian, Thomas Matthew Crooks has been identified as a person of interest by FBI investigators. Law enforcement officials have not yet identified a motive for the attack.
The shooting occurred less than four months before the November 5 US election, where Trump, the Republican candidate, faces a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
On Sunday, a day after the shooting, Trump was seen arrivingd in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
Mitsotakis condemned the attack on a post on platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “Appalled by the attack on former President Trump. Political violence is unacceptable in our democratic societies. Wishing him a full and swift recovery. We also extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the bystanders who lost their lives or were injured in the attack.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, “I am deeply shocked by the shooting that took place during former President Trump’s campaign rally. I wish Donald Trump a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family of the innocent victim. Political violence has no place in a democracy.”
European Council President Charles Michel echoed this sentiment, stating, “Political violence is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy. I strongly condemn the attack on former President Donald Trump.”
Source: Ekathimerini
