Jay Laylin and his family are evacuated after a gunman, who remains at large opened fire at his house.
RUFUS - The Presidential Protective Service has locked down Jay Laylin's home as shots fired into his windows while the Laylin family were asleep. The suspect has not yet been caught but the block in which his home sits have been shut down. President McCallum has been briefed on the shooting and is beefing up Laylin and Cooke's security.
"A little after 2:00 AM, I was up watching Television, when I heard 'pop' 'pop' 'pop'. Then I saw cop cars, PPS service cars and State police cars fly in with lights and sirens going," said a neighborhood citizen. "I thought holy shit. They killed someone. Then I realized it was Jay Laylin's house and I about panicked. I plan on voting for him in October, so I was like please god no, let him be alright. I can't believe this is happening."
President McCallum has not issued a statement about this situation as of yet but we expect more to be reported on it. However, PPS agents, Mesa Highway Patrol and Alden Police are securing the area a few blocks over so no entry into the area surrounding will be granted to persons other than the home's residents. Visitors and other guests will not be permitted.
The Presidential Protective Service and Federal Crimes Investigation Service will begin the investigation into the shooting and are hoping to release a preliminary report before midnight tonight.
"The shooter has yet to be identified, but we know he is still is in the area of Laylin's home, we aren't going to drop our guard at this point, but we are removing Laylin and his family from the premises. He will not be allowed to communicate via X, or other social media until the shooter is apprehended," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "This attack was unprovoked and should never have happened. We will get to the bottom of this."
"The fact that a major candidate for President was attacked makes this crime even more important to solve," said President McCallum. "Obviously I am strengthening and beefing up security for both Laylin and his family, as well as Thomas Cooke and his family. This should never have happened."
It is still unclear what the shooters motivation was for firing at the Laylin home. According to PPS agents, Laylin, his wife and children are all safe and have been taken back to Rufus County, where he is being protected into an undisclosed location.
"Unbelievable that something like this could happen to a fellow Presidential candidate, especially what happen to Donald Trump in July," said Thomas Cooke. "I am grateful that Laylin and his family are safe. I condone this political violence to highest level possible and this animal should be taken down swiftly."