HILLARD, OH – Supporters of President Donald Trump took to the streets for a parade in Hillard, Ohio on October 3rd. They may have expected some boos, people cursing at them and the usual.
But the one thing they most likely never expected was for a shooting to occur.
The incident occurred as the parade was going along I-270 near Columbus, Ohio. As the parade was continuing, police state that an unknown person fired at least one shot into a victim’s window.
Police report that no one was injured as a result of the shooting. The vehicle was described by witnesses to be a black truck which had Trump, American Flags, and a US Marines sticker on it – and many have questioned whether it was really that of an agitator trying to blend in.
Police have not reported what may have been the cause of the shooting and are still searching for the man’s identity. It is unknown if there was some type of political angle or simply a road rage incident.
Hillard Police Department Public Information Officer Andrew Litchfield confirmed that officers from her agency responded for a report of shots fired. When asked if the shooting had anything to do with the Trump rally, she said:
“That is something we are absolutely looking into.”
Mary Ann Walker, the organizer for the event said:
“We looped around 270 three times and didn’t see any problems. I think we saw one accident, maybe a little fender bender off the side of the road. So that’s very surprising. Hopefully, I wouldn’t think it was anybody in our group because everybody is so friendly and nice and I just don’t see that happening.”
Trump parade in Columbus, Ohio had THOUSANDS of trucks/cars/motorcycles show up!!!
Landslide incoming 🇺🇸
— Eric 🇺🇸 (@ThatTrumpGuy) October 3, 2020
Regardless of what led up to the shooting, violence at Pro-Trump events is sadly not rare. Often times, angry supporters of Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden take issue with people daring to have a different opinion on who should run the country.
In September, there was a pro-Trump event that was being held in California which had a large number of people in attendance. This caught the attention of a man who disliked the idea of anyone supporting the President and made sure they knew of his disdain.
Donna Snow, 84-years-old, was in attendance and a supporter of President Trump. She must have thought that she was safe, that is until Alvin Gary Shaw approached her. Snow said:
“He took his hand way back like he was going to punch me, and [he] hit me right across the face…Broke my earrings off.”
Shaw then went on to allegedly attack other members of the crowd, physically attacking one man and then knocking another one to the ground. He also attacked another man and allegedly injured him badly enough that he received injuries to his neck and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Thankfully, an armed retired officer happened to be a member of the crowd and saw what was occurring. The officer drew his firearm and ordered the man to stop when he tried to flee the scene in attempts to avoid the police.
A 33 year old man armed with a knife attacked an 84 yr. old @realDonaldTrump voter this week. She was out showing support for Trump when the man attacked and hit her. An off duty officer pulled a gun and arrested him. If anyone knows her I’m happy to buy her a new Trump sign! pic.twitter.com/caWXzuR2Rs
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 18, 2020
Officers arrived on scene and were able to take Shaw safely into custody. He was charged with elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault and battery.
Orange County California Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Dennis Breckner said:
“This could have been a very serious incident. In this case, this was just two groups that disagree, and while we support people and their using their First Amendment rights to put out their message, we prefer that [they] remain peaceful.”
Here is another article regarding violence at Pro-Trump events:
Witnesses: Man fired gun at group of women and children during South Carolina pro-Trump rally
FORT MILL, SC – A barrage of bullets interrupted a political gathering in Fort Mill, South Carolina Monday.
Police said that around 6:50 p.m., gunfire sent people scattering near Interstate 77 and Sutton Road.
The group, a local organization for women, told local news outlets that they were meeting on the side of the road, on a bridge overpass, and holding signs in support of President Donald Trump. The gathering coincided with Night Two of the Republican National Convention.
Fort Mill Police say they arrested 23-year-old Marquise Damarius Asomani shortly after the shooting.
One of the supporters on the bridge told local TV station WBTV that he heard the shots, and described the sound. Matthew Ostrowski said:
”All of a sudden, you know, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.”
Fort Mill Police say the North Carolina man was both the driver of the car and the shooter. Police say the car passed by the group multiple times, yelling derogatory remarks and obscenities. On the final pass, witnesses said the driver turned from Sutton Road onto the ramp to northbound Interstate 77 while yelling and firing a gun through the open window.
The shots startled the group but police have not reported any injuries.
Ostrowski said:
”It’s sickening. It’s absolutely sickening. It was ridiculous. There were kids everywhere. They drove by really slow and saw everybody, so they knew exactly who was there.”
In a Facebook post, the Fort Mill Police Department described the moment the gunfire started. They said:
“The driver of the vehicle continued yelling and then extended his arm through the window, while holding what appeared to be a handgun. The victims further stated that, at that moment, they heard several shots fired, and the vehicle then proceeded northbound on the Interstate.”
Police say that as the shooting was happening, a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper was driving up to the gathering, saw the crime and followed the car onto Interstate 77. The trooper found the car, but not the driver, a short time later near Gold Hill Road and Deerfield Drive.
While at the abandoned car, officers said they saw another car trying to leave the area. In it, they saw a man who matched the description of one of the shooting suspects. Troopers tailed the car and eventually pulled it over, finding evidence that led to the arrest of Asomani.
Several members of the group told local media outlets that they believe it was a targeted attack, motivated by their political affiliation.
One of the organizers told WBTV:
“I think it’s sad honestly that we’re showing support for the president and you have to be nervous about somebody coming and doing this.”
On Twitter, the shooting drew attention from civilians and lawmakers.
U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., tweeted:
“Could you imagine the national media outcry if this would’ve happened to Biden supporters? This person must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Could you imagine the national media outcry if this would’ve happened to Biden supporters? This person must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.https://t.co/FaV39vMYJK
— Greg Murphy (@RepGregMurphy) August 26, 2020
Trial-attorney-turned-newspaper-columnist Marina Medvin tweeted:
“Three men ‘drove by more than once, making derogatory remarks and yelling obscenities’ at Trump supporters at a calm rally in SC. Then, one of the men started shooting his gun from the vehicle. Did you hear about this in the news? No. Because equity.”
Three men “drove by more than once, making derogatory remarks and yelling obscenities” at Trump supporters at a calm rally in SC. Then, one of the men started shooting his gun from the vehicle.
Did you hear about this in the news? No. Because equity. https://t.co/2LU71mhlNq
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) August 25, 2020
Retired law enforcement officer Betsy Brantner Smith questioned the lack of mainstream media coverage. She tweeted:
“Trump supporters in South Carolina shot at during overpass gathering including children. Where’s the MSM?”
Trump supporters in South Carolina shot at during overpass gathering including children. Where’s the MSM? https://t.co/exdAxZdGbi
— Betsy Brantner Smith (@sgtbetsysmith) August 26, 2020
Police say Asomani is now facing charges for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful carrying of a pistol, pointing and presenting firearms at a person, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.
A judge set his bond at $75,000.
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