A man “attempted to breach the secure buffer and was removed,” NBC reports
Secret Service agents rushed to the stage today at Donald Trump’s Ohio rally when a disturbance broke out in the crowd.
In the video, Secret Service agents formed a wall around the Republican presidential candidate amid the commotion at the campaign event in Dayton, Ohio. According to NBC News, a man now identified as Thomas Dimassimo, 32, “attempted to breach the secure buffer and was removed rapidly and professionally.”
He has been charged with disorderly conduct and inducing panic, both misdemeanors.
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Chief Mike Etter of the Dayton Airport Police Department told NBC that Dimassimo jumped the bike racks and attempted to climb onto the stage. One Secret Service agent sustained a minor injury to his nose.
Throughout the disturbance, the audience kept chanting Trump’s name, to which Trump gave a thumbs-up sign and said, “I was ready for him, but it’s much easier if the cops do it.”
The incident comes just one day after Trump canceled his rally at the University of Illinois-Chicago due to security concerns. Hundreds of protestors waited for the Republican candidate to appear, leading to scuffles with Trump supporters in the crowd.
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Some people could be seen yelling at each other or making vulgar gestures and at least one punch was thrown. A man who stormed the podium was forcibly escorted away by police officers.
In a statement shortly after the rally was canceled, Trump’s campaign released a statement saying: “Mr. Trump just arrived in Chicago and after meeting with law enforcement has determined that for the safety of all of the tens of thousands of people that have gathered in and around the arena, tonight’s rally will be postponed to another date. Thank you very much for your attendance and please go in peace.”
The Dayton Airport Police Department has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
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