The second attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life in the span of about two months has prompted intense emotional reaction from some local figures, especially those who were there on the day of the first incident back in July.

Secret Service agents fired shots Sunday, Sept. 15, at Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, after the North Carolina native was seen aiming an assault-type weapon at the former president at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Routh was later arrested.

This second assassination attempt took place just two months and three days after the day of the first attempt on Trump’s life, July 13, during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds.

The first assassination attempt led to the death of one spectator plus the shooter, injured two others and grazed Trump’s right ear.

James Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, held the Democratic Party and the Harris campaign solely responsible for the political violence that has clouded this year’s presidential election cycle, singling out President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for what he considers inflammatory rhetoric.

“They've brought out the nutcases. There are going to be more nutcases before this is over,” Hulings said. “It’s a sad commentary on this country.”

Heidi Priest, founder of the Butler Women for Kamala Harris group, points instead to the former president’s own rhetoric.

“I was surprised because it took place on his own turf,” she said, “but otherwise, I was not surprised. The Jan. 6 rally ended in violence and people dying. He says things that aren’t very thoughtful, and then people are surprised when something happens.”

Priest drew a connection between lax security at the Butler Farm Show and Sunday’s events.

“I don’t think violence is a good thing, and we do have a mental health crisis in this country,” she said. “But Donald Trump’s whole platform is fear, and that causes people to do crazy things.”

Cindy Hilderbrand, chairwoman of the United Republicans of Butler County, lamented the state of political discourse in America — and especially in Butler County — during this election cycle. Hilderbrand was present at the July rally in which the first assassination attempt took place.

“It’s very sad how divided we are. It's very sad that you can't have a civil conversation with people,” said Hildebrand, who has spent the past two weeks knocking on doors in the area to gauge public opinion. “I went to some Democrat homes, and before I even said hello, they're screaming at me, and all I want to do is have a conversation.”

“The sad part is, I don't think it's going to get better until it's over,” Hilderbrand added. “I think it’s going to get worse.”

Catherine Lalonde, leader of the Butler County Democratic Committee, said she is glad no one was injured in the confrontation in Florida.

“There’s never a time for violence,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to be hurt or killed in the process of elections.”

But she is concerned about people who point fingers at Trump’s political opponents.

“I hope people won’t continue to blame Democrats,” she said. “Democrats don’t promote anyone being hurt. We want to keep everything civil and safe.”

Also present on the day of the July incident at the farm show grounds was U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th. Later that month, the U.S. House of Representatives authorized the creation of an official, 13-member task force to investigate that first assassination attempt, with Kelly as the chairman.

“We have requested a briefing with the U.S. Secret Service about what happened and how security responded,” Kelly said Monday, Sept. 16, in a joint statement with Jason Crow, D-Colo., ranking member on the task force. “We are thankful that the former President was not harmed, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms. The Task Force will share updates as we learn more.”

The Associated Press reported that Routh did not fire any shots, never had Trump in his line of sight, and sped away after being shot at by an agent who spotted him, according to officials.

Authorities did not immediately reveal any new details about Routh's background or allege a particular motive in charging documents.

Investigators also are examining Routh's large online footprint, which suggests a man of evolving political viewpoints, culminating in an apparent disdain for Trump and intense outrage at global events concerning China and especially Ukraine.

“You are free to assassinate Trump,” Routh wrote of Iran in an apparently self-published 2023 book titled “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” which described the former president as a “fool” and “buffoon” for both the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots and the “tremendous blunder” of leaving the Iran nuclear deal.

Routh wrote that he once voted for Trump and must take part of the blame for the “child that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless.”