Sen. Sandoval Apologizes For Mock Trump Assassination Photos Taken At Fundraiser

Sen. Martin Sanodval
Photo credit photo provided

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A state senator is apologizing for a mock shooting of President Trump during his political fundraiser over the weekend.

State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) said what took place at his Friday fundraiser in west suburban Winfield is "unacceptable." 

The democrat apologized in a statement to CBS affiliate WCIA-TV in Champaign saying he does not condone violence towards the President. 

“The incident that took place is unacceptable. I don’t condone violence toward the President or anyone else. I apologize that something like this happened at my event," Sen. Sandoval said in a statement.

The station reports photos posted to social media show a man pointing a fake gun at someone in a President Donald Trump mask, wearing what appears to be a mariachi costume. According to WCIA-TV, a woman at the event posted the photos to her Facebook page while tagging Sandoval in them. The station reported it was not clear whether Sandoval knew about the incident at the time it happened.

PRESS STATEMENT: Chairman Morrison calls photo images from a Senator Sandoval Fundraiser which depict the shooting of President Trump “disturbing and downright vile” https://t.co/x7Txjehq9g pic.twitter.com/OMvcyVHCWG

— Cook County GOP (@CookCountyGOP) August 19, 2019

The incident has sparked calls from the head of the state republican party for Sandoval to fire that person. 

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said Sandoval’s apology is too little, too late. He said some unstable individual could find the photos to be an inspiration.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also issued a statement stating: “As our nation grapples with the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at anyone is insensitive and wrong. I condemn actions like the ones displayed in the pictures because they lack the civility our politics demands.”