(NewsNation) — Eric Trump credited “divine intervention” for saving his father’s life after he Saturday’s attempted assassination.
“He realized he could have been dead,” Eric Trump told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Wednesday night during the Republican National Convention. “Had he not moved his face one inch. … you would have had a former president, very likely future president, get executed on TV.”
Eric Trump defended the Secret Service members who guided his father to safety and said, “We must find out what happened.”
“Every agent on that stage would have taken a bullet for my father. … I’m in total defense of those people because they’re the best of the best,” Eric Trump said.
The shooting changed his father’s outlook in life, Eric Trump said.
“I do think it changes your message. … When you have a brush with death like that, I think he probably realized what’s important in life and what’s not. … what you want your legacy to be,” Eric Trump said.
Trump suffered an ear injury from the shooting. One rally attendee died and at least two others were injured, not including the gunman, who was killed by the Secret Service.
The gunman practiced at a shooting range the day before Trump’s rally, CNN reported, citing an unnamed law enforcement official. The 20-year-old also bought a five-foot ladder from Home Depot and purchased 50 rounds of ammunition the next morning from a local store called Allegheny Arms and Gun Works, according to CNN.
The gunman was a member of Clairton Sportsmen’s Club about a 25-minute drive away from his home. One of the club’s lawyers, Rob Bootay, denounced Saturday’s shooting, as did Home Depot and the owner of Allegheny Arms and Gun Works.
Meanwhile, Trump has been attending the Republican National Convention with a bandaged ear. His acceptance speech is scheduled for Thursday.
Arrangements for Corey Compatore, the former volunteer firefighter killed at Saturday’s rally, include a public visitation Thursday in Freeport, Pennsylvania, and a funeral service Friday.
Compatore shielded his family from the gunfire in the moments before his death, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
NewsNation’s Katie Smith and Brian Entin contributed to this report.