By Marlyn Montilla
14 Jul 2024, 09:41 AM EDT
Security measures are being heightened across New York City following the alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
There was a shooting and chaos in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday as the Secret Service moved quickly to protect the Republican, who said he had just been shot in the ear.
On Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, local emergency services along with anti-terrorist police were deployed outside Trump Tower.
Additionally, as a precaution, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has deployed officers throughout the Big Apple, including at Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, Foley Square and City Hall.
It is not yet known if there is any threat or connection to New York City.
The New York tycoon arrived in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night, six hours after the attack on the Pennsylvania rally.
For his part, Mayor Eric Adams said: “Whatever your political ideology, we should all be able to agree that violence is wrong and we should be able to disagree peacefully.”
The Democratic mayor said he was praying for the former president’s health.
Retired FBI agent Rich Frankel, meanwhile, said a multifaceted investigation would include a detailed analysis of how the gunman got to his post without incident, even with the security at the rally.
“This wasn’t someone just trying to scare the president. He shot the former president, he hit him in the ear,” Frankel said. “I think we’re going to see a much deeper evaluation of every person who might come into contact with him.”
The threat environment has certainly increased. Experts say this will change the way we approach high-profile events, whether it’s protests or upcoming conventions or rallies.
On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman says Trump’s shooting has prompted him to step up security for public figures and politicians. He considers the former president a friend.
“We texted a little over a week ago and I spoke to him on the phone a couple of times in the last 30 days. We were together in the South Bronx,” Blakeman said.
In this regard, the Republican congressman from Suffolk County, Andrew Garbarino, still in disbelief at what had happened, expressed concern about how this could have happened.
“I am surprised that someone was able to get so close to the President while he was giving his speech,” Garbarino said.
Keep reading:
- FBI identifies shooter who shot Trump at Pennsylvania rally
- Donald Trump confirms he was shot in Pennsylvania and gives details
- Joe Biden spoke to Donald Trump’s doctors and hopes to call him: ‘He seems fine’