[Gunfire, Photo credit: Freepik]

Former US President Donald Trump, the running Republican presidential candidate, was forced to halt his campaign in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13 (local time) after multiple gunshots were fired near the event venue.

Although there was some blood near his ear where the bullet had pierced through, the former president is reported to be safe.

According to various United States broadcasts, former President Trump was criticizing the Biden administration’s illegal immigration issues during his campaign speech when several gunshots began to fire.

The bullet aimed at former President Trump grazed his face, leaving blood on his face and ears as he was evacuated from the shooting grounds.

Additionally, the open fire killed one spectator and critically injured two others.

The Trump campaign spokesperson Stephen Cheung later released a statement, saying that “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”

District Attorney Richard Goldinger reported that the shooter was believed to have shot former President Trump from the roof of a nearby building in proximity to the rally.

Authorities have identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old who was immediately killed by Secret Service agents at the campaign venue.

The FBI believes the shooter acted alone.

Following the incident, President Joe Biden urged Americans to reject political violence and recommit themselves to resolving their differences peacefully, according to AP News.

Overall, there has been a recent surge in ‘political terrorism’ around the world.

In 2021, United Kingdom Conservative MP David Ames was stabbed multiple times to death while attending a standard political event.

On July 8th, 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed amidst a political campaign in Nara City.

More recently, on June 7th, 2024, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted while campaigning in a square in Copenhagen.

Even in Korea, on January 2nd, 2024, Former Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck during his visit to Busan.

Park Chan-dae, acting leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized, “Political terrorism is a serious challenge to democracy,” and “nothing can be achieved through hate politics and political terrorism.”

Experts say that the continued terrorist attacks against politicians globally originate from an extreme political culture fueled by hatred of opposing political ideologies, rather than mutual respect.

The attempted assassination of former President Trump is a reminder of the increasing threat of political violence.

Such events collectively highlight the urgent need to address the very root of the issue at hand.

The 2024 US Presidential election national average polls stood at Trump versus Biden with 47% and 45%, respectively, prior to the assassination attempt on July 14.

As Election Data Analyst Director William P. Davis states, “An event (this) dramatic has no precedent in a modern presidential campaign… it’s reasonable to believe public opinion will change…”

With the ongoing election campaigns for the Democrats and Republicans, there is no telling of the results of the elections.

However, one thing is clear: political violence must come to an end.