MILWAUKEE — The Republican National Convention isn't just an event for state and national political leaders. A group of students from High Point University will also attend the convention working as showrunners for CNN.
The group was already in Milwaukee when the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump happened. Like most Americans, they told WFMY the shooting shocked and scared them.
It's the shots that were heard around the political world.
An assassination attempt on former President Trump left one man tragically killed and two others seriously hurt. The former commander-in-chief's ear was hit by a bullet but he survived the attempted killing. The alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was set up on the top of a shed outside of the rally about 400 feet away.
For these High Point University students, it's something they'll never forget and it has them on edge.
Gabriella Russo, a High Point University senior, said, "We're just kind of like nervous and we were just shocked."
Will Scholtes, another High Point University senior, added, "Definitely a lot of mixed emotions, a lot of, primarily shock and confusion. Like, why would somebody want to do this? It's such an evil act."
Dr. Brandon Lenoir from High Point University commented, "Here we are getting ready to attend the RNC. And the person who's going to receive the nomination from the Republican Party had an attempt on his life."
Eleven of HPU Professor Brandon Lenoir's students were chosen to work as showrunners at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. They spoke to me from their Wisconsin hotel. Professor Lenoir says being a part of the four-day event on the heels of this traumatic historical event will make this convention unlike any other.
Dr. Brandon Lenoir stated, "Normally political conventions are pre-scripted media events that are really a beauty pageant. This changes the whole tone of the convention."
The shooting has many raising questions about the Secret Service. But these students aren't worried about their safety. They say police are on every street in Milwaukee.
Gabriella Russo remarked, "Security is really expected to be heightened whatsoever. And you know, just kind of roll with the punches in that way. We're going to need to be very flexible."
Watching this potentially pivotal RNC up close and personal is something his students will talk about for a lifetime.
"It's going to be an experience that they're going to remember for the rest of their lives," Lenior said. "And how many people can say not only do they remember it, but they were part of the Republican National Convention?"
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