Head of the JFK Historical Group compares Trump rally shooting to JFK

BUTLER, Penn. (KBSI) – Former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting during his Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

He was speaking to the crowd when popping noises rang out in the crowd. Donald Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung said the former President is “fine” and the secret service has started an investigation.

This story is developing.

Dave Denton is a professor at Olney Central College and the head of the JFK Historical Group. He compares the attempt at Donald Trump to the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

“When folks have access to military style weapons that can fire at that distance, it was a very easy shot at 168 yards with a semi automatic assault weapon which he apparently had,” said Denton before saying that Trump was lucky to be alive after the attempted assassination.

When asked his thoughts on the response time of the secret service, Denton said, “They moved quickly in terms of getting covered up the biggest question which I thought was weird. I don’t know why they let him stand up and wave the typical Secret Service action was one state got him on the ground.” Denton then says “nobody should’ve ever seen him again they should’ve covered him up got him out of there for his way.”

Denton says he does not see similarities between the actions of the secret service from when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the attempt Saturday.

“You know, the first thing you look at is the removal of protection security stripping and I think you can make a good argument for that happen in Dallas, (where John F. Kennedy was assassinated,)” said Denton. “I don’t see that here with what happened yet as opposed I don’t think there’s anything blatant other than the fact that the Secret Service allowed him to get up I think that was pretty inexcusable.”

Going forward, Denton says he believes you will see security take new measures in order to protect perimeters around political candidates.

“It’s pretty obvious that maybe law enforcement was caught off guard, didn’t react quick enough and he found himself up there and able to take those shots,” said Denton. “But that’s the scrutiny. I think you’re going to have to really look at I believe going forward is how they handle perimeters. People have and can be taken out.”