The Hardware Man - Butler Rally - My Story - Part II
- Editor
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
This will be published in a 4 part series
each week, below is part 2.
I’m not a huge fan of large crowds, especially one where I can’t control my space. Not even allowed a pocket knife or a metal tipped umbrella, we were at the mercy of the security forces and otherwise sitting ducks. As I mentioned last week, I was pointing out different pieces of the scene of interest to my boys. See the cone from King Cones? I can see the roof of AGR and the other building behind it. I don’t see anyone on the water tower. Right close to 6:00, Trump took the stage to great fanfare. See that man with his foot on the step to the stage? He is Trump’s main body man. If anything happens, he is first there to cover him and protect him. There is the SUV he came in – looks like he’ll exit that way.
We took plenty of pictures and videos, wanting to remember the moment and share with friends across the nation that we were here. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get a picture or a text to send, when earlier I could. Janna, who was along the railing, was ready to hoist her 4-year-old onto her shoulders for a better look.
The big LED screen was behind our stands, and we saw Trump turn and look our direction. He was pointing out something on the chart when I heard a snap, snap, snap. Why would someone be setting off bottle rockets? I wondered. I heard a “GET DOWN” as we quickly realized that noise was the sound of bullets cracking directly above us. We later learned it was Corey who shouted the warning.
My focus immediately went to my group, my family. I saw Corey laying prone on the bleachers and heard the cries of his wife and girls. I covered the two children closest to me and prayed the prayingest prayer one can ever pray. They say there is no atheist in a foxhole, and I can assure you, this was the case at this moment. We heard a few more snaps and bangs, then a decisive gunshot, and all was calm for a moment.
Immediately following the silence of gunfire, my attention focused on accounting for my people. I remember seeing Aaron crouched low in the step of the bleacher with my niece, doing the active-shooter drill training they all learn in school. I yelled to see if they were all OK, but nothing prepares you for that possibility that one could be injured or worse. Thankfully, all of mine were. But Corey was not. He intercepted a bullet intended for Trump while he was covering his daughters.
My phone, which couldn’t send or receive moments prior, started lighting up with a call. My Dick Tracey watch buzzed as I saw my brother calling. He had been streaming the rally, knew where his wife was and heard the gunshots. I answered with a quick one-way conversation “We are all ok, but there is a man down right in front of us. Let Dad and others know.”
There was a scramble following the shooting as some sprang to assist Corey and others evacuated. Yet others thought it was best to stand by and document everything by video. It was the best of our community and the worst of it at the same time. Ed Scherer (the volunteer gatekeeper from last week) sprang into action helping, Dr Jim Sweetland, (with the infamous blood stained USA t-shirt) and Rico Elmore (who had spoken on stage earlier) with CPR until authorities arrived to move Corey. Christie, after checking and confirming we were all OK, remembered giving a hug to Corey’s daughter Kayleigh and saying a prayer. Another unknown man came over to make sure the kids were unharmed.
I couldn’t do much to protect the kids from the commotion, but I covered the eyes of the two beside me from the sight of Corey and people working on him. Someone passed Dr Jim a towel, who covered Corey’s wound with it. I comforted Janna’s youngest, holding and protecting her as her mom sorted out the scene herself. I recalled thinking “This is going to be all over the news. Great. Just what I don’t want.”
Our group didn’t stay long. Our priority and focus went from watching President Trump to caring for each other and shielding the kids. I didn’t see Trump rise with blood on his face and shout, “Fight, Fight, Fight!” I did catch his protective bubble move him off the stage, briefly, before my attention reverted to my people.
Many in the crowd evacuated the grounds quickly and orderly, through a gate that was undersized for the amount of people needing to pass through. On high alert, I herded our group, carrying the youngest, holding hands with my wife and keeping an eye on the surroundings. The crowd was relatively calm and subdued. They understood what had happened and, I’m sure, have their own stories. I was concerned that another assailant might attack the pinch point and was relieved when we cleared the gate. Pausing to make sure we had everyone; Janna prayed for our continued protection and for the devastated family left inside. We hurried past the vendors outside who were unaware of the ruckus.
Part 3 next week.
Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.