A US Marine veteran, David Dutch, was identified as one of the two spectators injured by the sniper who shot and wounded former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The Marine Corps League (MCL)’s Department of Pennsylvania revealed that 57-year-old David Dutch, from New Kensington, was hit twice when Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at Trump and his supporters.
MCL District 8 Vice Commandant Matt Popovich broke the news to his fellow Marines on Sunday afternoon as the Pennsylvania State Police identified both Dutch and James Copenhaver, aged 74, as the two injured rallygoers. In a Facebook post, Popovich expressed sadness at the division in society and revealed that one of the civilians shot at the rally was a Marine veteran.
Dutch had been installed as the commandant of the Westmoreland County Marines Corps League Detachment No. 1416 last year. According to local outlet TribLIVE, he is currently in critical condition after being shot in the liver and chest, with one surgery already completed and another scheduled for the following day while he remains in an induced coma.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris told reporters on Sunday that both Dutch and Copenhaver were listed as stable. He urged the community to unite in prayers for the injured veteran, echoing Popovich’s call. One of Dutch’s neighbors, William Pepper, described him as a “good guy.
In addition to the two injured spectators, officials identified Corey Comperatore, 50, as the Trump supporter killed by Crooks during Saturday’s attack. Comperatore, a father-of-two and former chief for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, died while protecting his wife and daughter from the gunfire, according to his family.
The incident has sparked concern among the community, with many calling for unity in the face of increasing violence and division in society. As Dutch continues to fight for his life, support pours in from both fellow Marines and the wider public alike, with prayers and messages of hope flooding social media and local news outlets.
