Presidential assassination attempt happened in Florida: FDR escaped gunman’s bullets in Miami

Former President Donald Trump was recovering Sunday from an assassination attempt made at a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania. Trump’s right ear was injured when Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop outside of the rally.

One rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, died and two spectators were critically injured.

There have been numerous attempts on the lives of presidents, former presidents and presidential candidates, including one in Florida.

It was 91 years ago, and then-president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt had just finished speaking to a crowd in Miami, from the backseat of a car when gunshots rang out.

Here’s what to know about the attack on Roosevelt in Florida:

Assassination attempt on FDR in Miami, Florida

On Feb. 15, 1933, amid the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt stood on the backseat of an open car and delivered a speech in Miami’s Bayfront Park.

After Roosevelt finished speaking, he slid down into his seat when a “deranged, unemployed bricklayer” named Guiseppe Zangara fired five shots at Roosevelt from close range, according to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

A bystander deflected Zangara’s hand and the bullets missed FDR but four others were shot, including Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who later died of his injuries.

Zangara was arrested and, upon Cermak’s death, charged with murder. He was convicted and executed in Florida’s electric chair on March 20, 1933.

As to motive, Zangara reportedly said, “I don’t hate Mr. Roosevelt personally, I hate all officials and anyone who is rich,” History.com reported.

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