NBA legend Steve Kerr speaks out on Donald Trump shooting – 40 years after his own father was assassinated

US Olympic team coach Steve Kerr has denounced a “disgraceful” and “demoralizing” day in US history after former President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally.

Trump, 78, was onstage in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman tried to kill him. The bullet grazed his ear, prompting Secret Service to come onstage to protect him.

The historic events unfolded thousands of miles away from where the U.S. basketball team is preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Head coach Kerr nevertheless commented on the incident during a press conference.

“This is a moment where we are proud to represent our country with the United States on our chest and to participate in the Olympic Games,” Kerr told reporters.

“We’ve talked to the players about how important it is to show the best version of ourselves as people to represent our country in a respectful, dignified way. That makes you want to do that even more, because it’s really embarrassing for us to sit here and think about what happened and what’s happening in our country.”

Steve Kerr spoke out about the shocking events, 40 years after his own father was murdered

For Kerr, the shocking incident brought back tragic memories from his own past, after his father Malcolm was assassinated in Beirut in 1984 while he was president of the American University of Beirut.

“It’s such a demoralizing day for our country, and it’s yet another example of not only our political divisions, but also our gun culture,” Kerr added. “A 20-year-old with an AR-15 trying to shoot the former president.

“It’s hard to process everything, and it’s scary to think where this is going because of the problems that already exist in the country. So this is a terrible day.

“Luckily Trump wasn’t hit, but it’s just so demoralizing in every way.”

On Sunday morning, the FBI identified the suspected shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican who had donated money to Joe Biden.

His father Matthew Crooks, 53, told CNN he was trying to figure out “what the hell is going on” but would “wait until I talk to the police” before saying anything.

Kerr’s mother receives condolences in Beirut after her husband’s murder in 1984

Dr. Malcolm Kerr was president of the American University of Beirut when he was assassinated by gunmen outside his office in 1984

Crooks fired at least eight rounds from a rooftop just 400 feet from where Trump, 78, was onstage in Butler, where he spoke to thousands of fans at 6:15 p.m.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was armed with “an AR-style rifle.”

During the attack, he appeared to be wearing merchandise advertising one of the most popular YouTube channels dedicated to firearms — Demolition Ranch — NBC News reported.

Special Agent Kevin Rojek, the FBI agent in charge, said Crooks was identified through DNA because he was not carrying any identification.

State voter records show Crooks was a registered Republican. According to U.S. media, he donated $15 to the liberal ActBlue political action committee on Jan. 20, 2021 — Biden’s Inauguration Day — when he was 17.

Trump raises his fist to the crowd as he is pushed off the stage by security after being shot

One member of the crowd was killed in the fatal shooting, while two others who were wounded are in critical condition. All three are men, law enforcement officials said.

Trump was bloodied and injured during the assassination attempt. He was seen suddenly grabbing his ear as loud bangs rang out and passed by, then diving to the ground.

The Secret Service gathered around the 45th President of the United States as piercing screams could be heard from the MAGA crowd.

He then stood up, blood streaming down his cheek, raised his fist in the air and defiantly shouted “fight” as the crowd chanted “USA” as he was dragged off the stage and forced into a vehicle.