Law enforcement officials work outside of the Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, Monday, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PARKERSBURG — Representatives of the local Republican and Democratic parties Monday condemned the second attempt to assassinate Donald Trump.

“Any attempt on any president is just plain wrong,” said West Virginia Delegate Scot Heckert, chairman of the Republican Party in Wood County.

“It goes to show that the world has lost touch with reality and common sense. There’s no room for that in anything,” he said. “Elections should be decided by the people, not a bullet.”

Trump was playing golf at his club in West Palm Beach, Fla., when a Secret Service agent saw a rifle barrel sticking out from behind a fence. The agent fired upon the barrel and the suspect ran away, leaving behind an AK-47-style rifle with a scope.

Ryan Wesley Routh, the alleged lone gunman, fled in his vehicle and was arrested shortly after the incident. He got between 300 and 500 yards from the former president, according to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County.

Everyone involved, responsible for or who choreographs an assassination attempt “should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Heckert said.

Sunday’s incident was the second attempt since July on Trump, whose ear was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pa. Corey Comperatore, 50, a father of two girls, was killed when he dove onto his family to protect them from the gunfire.

“This type of violence in politics and everyday life is just terrible,” said Jeff Fox, chairman of the Wood County Democratic Party. “Certainly no one can condone any type of violence against any candidates.”

Society may be getting more accustomed to violent acts with firearms, such as in schools, he said. School shootings are no less tragic, but perhaps more attention can be drawn when the victim is someone of notoriety, Fox said.

“Unfortunately, we see it over and over again with firearms and school shootings,” Fox said. “We can only hope we see less of it.”

Fox’s counterpart in Washington County, Willa O’Neill, said people should be talking about differences of opinion, not threatening violence against those with whom they disagree.

“It saddens me that our politics have reached the point that multiple assassination attempts have happened,” she said. “I am hopeful that in the future, civility will return to our nation.”

Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling, a member of the county Republican executive committee, said he is concerned not only for Trump, but also his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and the Democratic ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in these “tumultuous times.”

“It’s really unfortunate that this is the society we live in,” said Schilling, adding that he believes in free and fair elections and “once the election’s over with, it’s over with.”

Statements also were issued on Sunday by party chairmen in West Virginia.

“This, the second such incident in a matter of weeks, must stop; the continual lies and villainization of President Trump certainly play a role in this behavior, and that must end, too,” Republican Party Chairman Matt Herridge said. “In America, we go to the polls to settle policy and ideological disagreements. That is healthy. That is normal. What we’ve now experienced twice since July is unacceptable, and we should all do our part to lower the temperature and pray this type of senseless violence ceases to continue.”

Mike Pushkin, chairman of the Democratic Party, also condemned the attack.

“Violence and assassination are antithetical to the democratic values that define our nation. In moments like these, it is crucial to remember that political disagreements must be resolved through dialogue, not through acts of hatred or violence,” Pushkin said. “My thoughts are with the former president and his family during this difficult time.”

Elected officials in West Virginia and Ohio also weighed in:

* “Once again, my prayers are with President Trump and his family as they endure what appears to be a second assassination attempt on his life. This is not just another attack on President Trump, but an assault on everything we stand for as a democracy. We need to stand strong and remain united in the face of these threats.” – West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, in a statement issued Sunday

* “I’m thankful that former President Trump is safe following today’s assassination attempt. As Americans, we must denounce all forms of political violence in the strongest possible terms. There is no place for this in our country.” – U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., on X, formerly known as Twitter

* “Relieved to hear that President Trump is safe and unharmed following this second assassination attempt. I am also grateful for our brave law enforcement that acted quickly on the scene. There is absolutely no place in our country for this type of violence.” – U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on X

* “I’m glad to hear that President Trump is safe and grateful to law enforcement for securing the area quickly. While we wait for more details, I want to be crystal clear: political violence is never acceptable.” – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on X

* “Violence is never the way for Americans to settle our political disagreements. Thankfully @realDonaldTrump is safe.” Jon Husted, Ohio lieutenant governor