CONNOQUENESSING TOWNSHIP — Gospel Life Church in Evans City holds a Pastor’s Prayer once a month, but on Tuesday, instead of the air-conditioned comfort of the church, the prayer time was opened to church members and passersby in a yard across from the Brady Paul entrance to the Butler Farm Show grounds.

Jack LeViere, of Cranberry Township, explained that his fellow Gospel Life member, Bryce Bryant Jr., offered the front lawn of his home just across from the farm show’s fence along Meridian Road for the prayer time.

Church members put up signs at nearby intersections inviting anyone who was so inclined to come and pray.

“We are praying for the victims of the event and those in authority and the government, that they would seek the Lord,” said LeViere.

Fruit, hot dogs, snacks and drinks were available on a table at the end of two pop-up canopies situated side-by-side so those attending could get out of the sun and sit in one of several camp chairs.

Several media outlets that have been present along Meridian and Buttercup roads interviewed those who planned the public prayer event, taking video, snapping pictures or scribbling notes.

Bryant said he returned home from a golf outing on Saturday just in time for him, his wife and three young children to set up chairs in the front yard to listen to the rally.

Not long after Trump’s obvious appearance on stage, the Bryant family heard shots from two different weapons.

“I knew what it was immediately,” he said “I grabbed my wife and kids and got them inside.”

Three family friends had parked in his large driveway and walked to the rally, so he immediately tried to contact them to see if they were OK.

He said just before the shots rang out, the local police officer manning the Brady Paul entrance with a Secret Service agent jumped in his car and sped north on Meridian Road.

“It was just kind of like, all right, he was needed somewhere else I guess,” Bryant said. “Then we hear the shots.”

Before the family ran inside, Bryant’s wife asked the Secret Service agent if the sounds were gunshots.

“He’s like 'Get inside,’” Bryant said. 'You could hear the screams and everything. My kids were beside themselves.”

Soon Trump’s motorcade came speeding out of the Brady Paul entrance to transport the former president to Butler Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injured right ear.

Because the Secret Service agent was very busy working the Brady Paul entrance alone in the heat, Bryant took him bottles of water and protein bars.

“He said ‘I want to let you know the shooter is down,’” Bryant said.

He said even the Secret Service agent was stunned at the turn of events.

“He said ‘You set up for it, you prepare, and when it happens, it’s still madness,’” Bryant said.

Eric Manny, manager at King Cones Castle near the intersection of Evans City and Whitestown roads, said employees at the popular ice cream shop heard the cracks of the rifles Saturday afternoon.

“We locked up first, then (state police) came and evacuated everyone,” Manny said.

He said when those who attended the rally began leaving the farm show grounds and walking east on Route 68 in waves, managers contemplated whether to let people in to ensure their safety or to keep the doors locked because one of them could be involved.

“We locked up for the safety of our employees,” Manny said.

The shop lost their Saturday evening and Sunday business, as Route 68 was closed by law enforcement after the assassination attempt and remained closed until Monday.

“It’s just a shame it happened here,” Manny said. “I had all kinds of calls from (distant relatives), saying ‘Isn’t that right where you are?’ I’m like ‘I’m all good.’”

Ira Murdick, owner of Murdick’s Auto Parts and Racing at the intersection of Whitestown and Evans City roads, said state troopers entered his shop and told him in no uncertain terms to close the business and leave the premises.

“I think they thought there might be bombs at that point,” Murdick said.

The shop is only open for U-Haul rental on Sunday, and Murdick was able to reopen the shop on Monday.

Murdick also heard the shots fired from the roof of an American Glass Research International building and the return fire by Secret Service snipers that killed Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, the suspected shooter.

“I figured what was going on,” he said. “I never thought it would be this close.”

State police took security camera footage from his store to see if it holds any evidence that could assist in the FBI investigation into the shooting.

“I’m pretty much back to normal, except for all the media and cops everywhere,” Murdick said.

Pete Jastrab, an employee of Pizza Pie, which is in the same building as Murdick’s, said while he was not at work Saturday, he knows the pizza shop lost two dinner rushes and one lunch because of the situation.

“It’s bad how it makes our town look,” he said.

He said no stock was lost in the short closure because all dough, pizzas and other products are made fresh each day.

Judy McCollough, owner of Headlines of Hair Concepts across Evans City Road from the farm show property, said she attended the rally, but was overcome by the heat and had to be taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for two intravenous bags of fluids.

“It was actually good because we were standing right where the shots came through,” she said.

McCollough said many people succumbed to the heat and humidity Saturday.

She said she continues to feel sadness for the victims of the shooting and their families.

“I just think it’s horrible, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on,” McCullough said.