Sydney Gruters rips Sarasota County Democratic Party social media message following shooting near Donald Trump

Sydney Gruters, a congressional candidate in Southwest Florida, is condemning what she says is a “disgraceful” social media post by the Sarasota County Democratic Party.

The message was posted shortly after a shooting incident near President Donald Trump Saturday night.

Gruters seized upon what appears to be a Facebook post by the Democratic Party in the Southwest Florida county that stated, “Well that sucks,” Saturday night not long after the incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C. There was a laughing face emoji also posted next to the statement. The post also said the Sarasota County Democratic Party is “feeling disappointed.”

Gruters is one of several Republican candidates for CD 16 representing Sarasota County and surrounding areas. She said the Democratic Party social media message was disturbing.

“People could have been killed last night,” said Gruters in a news release Sunday morning. “This was not a joke, and it should not be treated like one.”

The post was not present on the Sarasota County Democratic Party Facebook account on Sunday morning as it was apparently removed.

Gruters added it was out of line for any political organization to ridicule the shooting incident.

“Southwest Florida deserves leaders who understand the weight of their words, especially in moments like this. Political violence is wrong no matter who it targets. The Sarasota Democrats owe this community an apology, not a deleted post and the hope that no one noticed,” Gruters said.

The shooting unfolded just outside the vast subterranean ballroom in the Washington Hilton holding thousands of dinner guests, disrupting minutes after it began an annual event meant to honor journalism and the First Amendment that was being especially scrutinized this year because it was the first time since Trump became president that he had attended. Trump told reporters later that he hoped the event would be rescheduled within 30 days, though the fact that an armed man was able to rush toward the ballroom raised instant questions about security precautions at an event attended each year by senior government officials.

The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. He is facing two firearm-related charges, including a count of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

Gruters is seeking to fill the congressional seat of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. The Republican is retiring when his term expires.

Gruters faces John Peters, Eddie Speir and Eddie Pope during the Republican Primary race for the seat. Democrats Jonathan Harris, Tamika Lyles, Glenn Pearson and Jan Schneider have also filed to run for the seat, as have no-party candidates Mark Davis and Keith Varian. The Primary is set for Aug. 18.

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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.