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Priest at Trump rally who gave benediction warned of 'people who want to shoot' former president

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Priest at Trump rally who gave benediction warned of 'people who want to shoot' former president

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A Ukrainian Catholic priest who gave the benediction during former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday spoke of “people who want to shoot” the Republican presidential candidate just minutes before the assassination attempt that left Trump wounded, two others critically injured and one bystander dead.

Jason Charron, pastor at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, told Fox News Digital on Sunday night in a phone interview that he was contacted by the Trump campaign last week “to give the opening blessing and prayer” during Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

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Charron said his benediction was “a petition to God that He would allow us to see through the present crisis in [the] nation and world.”

FAITH LEADERS SHARE URGENT PRAYERS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AFTER PENNSYLVANIA RALLY SHOOTING

Then, before the former president appeared on stage to speak, Charron was preparing to leave for another obligation when he stopped first to meet with a group of Trump supporters.

“They saw me giving the prayer and they wanted to know if Trump was here yet and all that stuff,” Charron said.

Jason Charron, left, pastor at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, gave the benediction before former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday, July 13.  (Jason Charron; AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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As Charron spoke to the “large group of people on the barricade,” shaking hands and taking pictures, he told the crowd that he had done his part by praying for Trump but that they must do theirs, too.

“And that is to pray for him and his protection because there are people who want to shoot him,” Charron recalled. 

“Pray for him and his protection because there are people who want to shoot him.”

“And their obligation is to, you know, continue this offering of prayer.”

Charron told Fox News Digital that he “said it quite loudly, which was, I think, uncharacteristic of me.”

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Former President Trump is shown with supporters at his campaign rally on Saturday, July 13, before gunshots rang out — grazing the president’s ear and nearly taking his life.  (Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images)

“But it just came out of my mouth, you know, that there are people [who] want to shoot him and kill him, and they have to pray for his protection,” Charron added. 

“And I didn’t think that it was going to be that day.”

TRUMP SHOOTING: ‘GOD’S HAND OF PROTECTION WAS ON HIM,’ SAYS REV FRANKLIN GRAHAM, OTHERS

Charron hadn’t yet left the Butler Farm Show grounds when a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. 

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Authorities said the gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired several shots, critically wounding two spectators and killing a former fire chief who was shielding his family from the bullets.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt at his Saturday campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A U.S. Secret Service sniper returned fire, killing the shooter, the agency said.

Charron said he considers his predictive remarks to be an act of God perceiving the thoughts of others – such as Crooks having thoughts of assassination – and placing in Charron’s heart a forewarning “to remind people to pray for protection.”

FLORIDA RABBI SAYS TRUMP’S SURVIVAL AN ‘OPEN MIRACLE’ THAT WILL LEAVE AN ‘INDELIBLE MARK’ ON AMERICA

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Added Charron, “If you speak to any priest or minister, they’ll tell you that things like this are quite common in the ministry. So, it’s a reminder that we’re not dealing with just the lower things of what we can see and sense — but that we are, on a daily basis, navigating a universe of unseen powers and spiritual realities.”

Charron said he also got to speak with Trump before the former president addressed the crowd.

During their brief conversation, Charron said, he thanked the 45th commander-in-chief for how Trump’s administration handled what was then an escalating situation in Ukraine.

Charron, a Pennsylvania pastor, said he met with Trump shortly before the assassination attempt on Saturday; the priest said he thanked the former president for his administration’s response to the situation in Ukraine. (Jason Charron)

“I said that he didn’t get the credit that he deserved,” Charron said, adding that Trump was “grateful” to receive such acknowledgment. 

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Charron claimed that Trump also said he was “heartbroken” to learn of all the casualties in Ukraine and that it “didn’t have to be this way.”

When asked on Sunday night about the shooter’s actions, Charron said the church “condemns murder as a violation of the Fifth Commandment.”

“We pray at the same time that, before he took his last breath, he repented of his decision to take another man’s life,” Charron said.

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President Trump is shown up close after the attempt on his life on Saturday.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Charron said he also believes that what happened Saturday is “a natural outflow of the culture we created by Roe v. Wade in which human life is disposable.”

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He added, “If it’s inconvenient or if it’s problematic to our worldview, then, you know, certain human lives can be disposed of.” 

So, “it’s that same demonic disregard for the dignity of the human person.”

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Boston, MA

Boston Police Blotter: Southie pub brawl leads to alleged stabbing

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Boston Police Blotter: Southie pub brawl leads to alleged stabbing


Two people were stabbed following an alleged bar brawl in Southie over the weekend.

According to a police report, officers arrived at Tom English’s around 10:30 p.m., Friday for a report of a fight. When they arrived on the scene, a victim told police that he was sucker punched during a fight and pointed out a person who was the “main aggressor” throughout the incident.

The suspect was pat frisked by police, but the report said they did not find any weapons. “The suspect stated that he was jumped [by the party of the victim,” the report said. “The suspect refused to cooperate any further after repeated attempts by officers to get his version of events.”

Both the suspect and victim declined EMS.

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Then about an hour later, three more victims arrived at a nearby police station to report that two of them had been stabbed in the fight at Tom English. One of the unnamed victims said that the fight started after the suspect kept moving coins he put down to play pool. The suspect, according to one of the other victims, told them to meet him outside.

All parties were kicked out by a bouncer and “a large brawl ensued,” the report said. The victims told police that that suspect brandished a knife and the victims said they “fled the scene on foot fearing for their lives.”

In the report, police noted that they saw wounds on two of the victims. EMS was called to treat them.

BPD did not confirm whether the suspect was arrested.

Fireworks call leads to firearm recovery in Mattapan

Reports of fireworks led Boston Police to recover a firearm Monday night in Mattapan.

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Officers responded to the area around Callender Street at about 10 p.m. for a call of shots fire, but a supervisor alerted them that individuals were shooting off fireworks.

When police got to the scene, they said they saw a group of people standing near a car that had several packages of fireworks. As officers approached, one man started to sprint towards Blue Hill Ave., throwing a jacket off as he ran, according to BPD.

Multiple officers responded to detain the suspect and a pat frisk of the jacket uncovered a ghost gun with 7 rounds in the magazine, police said.

Kahnari White, 24, of Mattapan was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

While the foot pursuit and arrest of White unfolded, police said the group standing with the fireworks began to become “hostile and threatening to an officer who remained with them on scene.”

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One person allegedly continued to threaten an officer and bumped him on the chest as more officers arrived.

“Multiple de-escalation tactics were attempted, but the suspect continued to threaten officers,” Boston police said in a statement.

Eventually, officers were able to detain Sean Galvez, 40, of Quincy. Galvez was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer.

Both suspects are expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.

Gun recovered after foot chase in Dorchester

A 22-year-old from Dorchester was arrested on gun charges after police said they approached the suspect for drinking in public Monday night.

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Officers saw a group on Draper St. drinking publicly around 8:30 p.m., and when they approached them, one individual started to walk away.

“When officers advised the male that he could not be drinking alcohol in public, he fled on foot,” Boston Police said in a statement. “A foot pursuit ensued, and officers stopped the suspect.”

Police recovered a Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 with nine rounds in the magazine during a pat frisk and said that the serial number on the gun was defaced.

Denilson Pires was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and defacing a firearm serial number.

He is expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court.

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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Add Year to Cam Heyward’s Contract, Creating Cap Space

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Steelers Add Year to Cam Heyward’s Contract, Creating Cap Space


The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have some clarity on Cameron Heyward’s short-term future with the team.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers have added an extra year to Heyward’s deal. As a result, they freed up right around $5.5 million in cap space.

Heyward’s contract is now worth $32.25 million across two seasons, though only the first of those two years is guaranteed.

The reigning second-team All-Pro previously had one year left on his contract, which carried a cap hit of $19.150 million.

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Heyward’s deal was a source of contention during training camp last summer, as the 15-year veteran looked to negotiate his contract after previously having agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension leading into the 2024 campaign.

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Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images | Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

The 36-year-old, who was a first-team All-Pro that year, later compromised with Pittsburgh after it added a little over $3 million in incentives to his contract before Week 1 of the 2025 season.

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Over 17 games, Heyward recorded a total of 3.5 sacks and 78 tackles with a forced fumble.

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With it appearing set in stone that he’ll return for the 2026 season after agreeing to his modified deal, the question now becomes whether or not Heyward will play out the duration of his contract through 2027.

What Could Steelers Do with Extra Money?

Pittsburgh was rather active both shortly before and immediately after the legal tampering period began, re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Cole Holcomb while also signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Jamel Dean and acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, whom it immediately inked to a three-year, $59 million extension.

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It’s been a bit quiet for the Steelers since that initial wave, however, with punter Cameron Johnston representing their only move on the second day of free agency.

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There’s still plenty of names out there on the open market, and with needs remaining along the offensive line, at safety and receiver even after adding Pittman Jr., the action shouldn’t stop for Pittsburgh.

While quarterback remains the most substantial question mark for the Steelers on paper, the widespread assumption remains that Aaron Rodgers will eventually return to the franchise. When that decision will, or could, become official, though, is anyone’s best guess at the moment.

The money Pittsburgh saved by revising Heyward’s contract could help fill out its roster not only through free agency, but also via the 2026 NFL Draft now that it has 12 picks at its disposal upon being awarded four compensatory selections.

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Connecticut

Pension fund assets for retired CT state employees and teachers up 14%

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Pension fund assets for retired CT state employees and teachers up 14%


State Treasurer Erick Russell achieved a 14% increase last year investing Connecticut’s pension fund assets, gaining roughly $8.3 billion for retirement programs for state employees, teachers and other municipal workers. 

The state, which oversees nearly $69 billion in pension assets, aims for an average annual return on pension investments of 6.9%. 

Expectations for bigger gains grew throughout the past year as key stock market indices surged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges, grew by more than 13% in 2025. And the S&P 500, which follows 500 traded companies, topped 16%.

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Among peer states and other entities that manage public pension funds holding more than $10 billion in assets, Connecticut’s 2025 performance ranks in the top 17%, Russell said. 

But the treasurer, who also announced this week he will seek a second term, said the latest big earnings stem from more than the big gains Wall Street enjoyed in 2025. 

“Markets certainly have been strong, but a lot of this is about our overall asset allocation,” said Russell, who updated the Investment Advisory Council Tuesday on the state’s portfolio. “The progress we’ve been making … is a good sign that we’re set up for future success.” 

Russell also reported investment gains of 10.3% for the 2024 calendar year and 12.8% for 2023. 

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State officials particularly have focused on improving investment returns since a May 2023 report from Yale University researchers found Connecticut’s results badly lagged the nation’s over the prior decade. 

That only compounded an even larger pension problem that state officials began to address in the early 2010s. According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Connecticut governors and legislatures failed to save adequate for pension benefits for more than seven decades prior to 2011. This deprived the state treasurer of huge assets that otherwise could have been invested to generate billions of dollars in revenue over those seven decades. 

The treasurer’s office under Russell has put more funds into private and domestic markets and curbed reliance on investment managers who receive large fees for their work. 

Gov. Ned Lamont and the General Assembly also have greatly assisted efforts to bolster the fiscal health of pension programs in recent years. Since 2020, they have used $10 billion from budget surpluses to make supplemental payments into pensions for state employees and municipal teachers. That’s in addition to annual required payments that currently approach $3.3 billion in the General Fund. 

“These returns highlight the impressive work of Treasurer Russell and his team in increasing investment returns,” Lamont’s budget spokesman, Chris Collibee, said Tuesday. “Gov. Lamont’s focus has been on building a sustainable Connecticut for the future. Every dollar in additional investment revenue is funds the state can use to cut taxes and provide more resources for essential programs like education, child care, housing, and social services safety nets.” 

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Russell, a New Haven Democrat, said he has tried to make the office both “disciplined and forward-looking.” 

“Over the last several years, we haven’t just changed how the office works, we’ve changed who it works for. We’re ushering in a new era of fiscal responsibility, making significant payments on long-term debt that has allowed us to invest in the residents of Connecticut and begin to lift up communities across our state.” 

Russell also brokered a key compromise in 2023 between Lamont and the legislature that salvaged the Baby Bonds program, an initiative that invests long-term funds in Connecticut’s poorest children when they’re born to help finance educational and business opportunities later in life.

Keith M. Phaneuf is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror (https://ctmirror.org). Copyright 2026 © The Connecticut Mirror.



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