ELKINS — A Randolph County delegate is being chastised for allegedly using the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump for his own political gain.

Elias Coop-Gonzalez, R-District 67, posted the following to his social media account at 6:48 p.m. Saturday:

“It’s been hours since our Republican presidential nominee was nearly assassinated and crickets from former Delegate Cody Thompson! His silence speaks volumes. Political violence should be unilaterally condemned regardless of party.”

Coop-Gonzalez defeated former Democratic delegate Thompson in 2022. The two will face each other again in the 2024 General Election in November.

For his part, Thompson posted, “There is no place for violence in our democracy and political process. Today’s events are truly horrific. Our country cannot survive with this level of hate and division. My thoughts and prayers are with the former President and all who were affected by this senseless tragedy.”

Thompson also posted a statement from the West Virginia Democratic Party referencing the shooting at the Trump rally Saturday.

In response, on a comment thread from his original post, Coop-Gonzalez posted, “Twenty minutes after calling him out he posted a screenshot of the WV Dems’ press release. No actual condemnation coming from him. Disgusting.”

On Sunday evening, Thompson responded to the Coop-Gonzalez posts.

“I don’t owe him or anyone else an explanation,” Thompson’s post reads, “but my day was mostly focused on my dog Jack who got into something either indoor or outdoor and we spent the day at the vet. Also, as I don’t live on my phone during the weekend because I have a job… I watered my yard and treated it for weeds. As soon as I saw and was aware what happened I commented how heinous it was.

“Trying to use this horrible attack for his own personal gain is disgraceful and disgusting. I am not going to engage him further but I want to say I’m praying for our former President and his family… I’m praying for the person who lost their life, and also for those injured. Violence has no place in our political arena. We decide at the ballot box. Also, don’t use a tragedy like this for personal political gain.”

Coop-Gonzalez received criticism from some for his comments.

Jacob Currence posted the following comment to Coop-Gonzalez’ initial comment: “When you ran in 2022 right before the November election a person showed up at former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s house. The gentleman showed up to kill her and it resulted in the cruel beating of her husband. Going through your Facebook and Twitter history you never once condemned the act. Cody never called you out for it.

“This is a tragic event where someone lost their life. Don’t use this for political gain. That’s disgusting.

“I agree that it is a time for everyone to come together,” Currence posted. “Using a failed attack on Trump in order to bash your political rival that had nothing to do with the attack is disgusting. It’s disrespectful and narcissistic.”