One of the two men who were injured when a 20 year old gunman opened fire at a Trump rally has been identified as a United States Marine veteran.
David Dutch, 57, was shot in the liver and chest on Saturday night, according to a post by the Marine Corps League, where he is a member.
He had recently been installed as the commandant of Westmoreland County Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1416, TribLive reports.
‘He has had one surgery and is undergoing another this morning,’ the post from District 8 Vice Commandant Matt Popovich said.
‘He is currently in an induced coma.’
One of the men critically injured at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday has been identified as David Dutch, 57
‘Please keep him and his family in your prayers,’ Popovich pleaded.
‘I am sure there will be lots of angst and anger at this news but please be careful how you express it, verbally or physically will not help but prayers and compassion do.’
One of Dutch’s neighbors, William Pepper, described him as a ‘good guy.’
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He and his girlfriend recalled how Dutch came to their aid last month when their dog died and ‘carried the dog out to the car,’ according to the New York Post.
Dutch and another victim of the shooting in Pennsylvania, James Copenhaver, 74, are now in stable condition, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris announced on Sunday.
A third victim, Corey Comperatore, 50, was tragically killed when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the Trump rally.
His family has told how Comperatore shielded his young daughter and wife from the gunfire.
‘These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,’ Paris said.
Corey Comperatore, 50, was tragically killed when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the Trump rally
Gov. Josh Shapiro has since mandated that flags be flown at half mast in honor of Comperatore, as he hailed the former volunteer firefighter as a hero for diving on his family to shield them from the hail of bullets.
‘Corey dove on his family to protect him last night, he died a hero, he was the very best of us,’ the governor said in a press conference on Sunday afternoon, adding that the father-of-two was a self-proclaimed ‘girl dad’ and firefighter.
‘Corey went to church every Sunday for a loved his community. And most especially Corey loves his family. Corey was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community,’ the governor said.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe established for the surviving victims, along with the family of Comperatore, raised more than $3.5million, with more than 48,000 people contributing.
One person who donated told the family of Comperatore, ‘There are no words that I can put together in a sentence that will make you feel any better.
‘Nobody should have to see that ever,’ he said.
‘Your father/husband was a hero, and we are so sorry for your loss,’ Stephanie Muma wrote.
‘To the others critically injured, we hope you pull through and have a full recovery.’
The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks
Crooks opened fire with an AR-style rifle from a roof 130 yards from the MAGA event in Butler, Pennsylvania
Another contributor wrote that their ‘heart goes out to the families impacted by the senseless violence.
‘It’s a stark reminder of the importance of compassion and community.
‘I hope my contribution can help provide some relief during this difficult time,’ he continued.
‘Together, we must work towards a future where such events no longer occur.
‘Let’s stand united in support and healing.’
Trump was shot in the right ear after turning his head to look at a video screen
The former president was seen grabbing at his head and ducked as screams front terrified onlookers ran out
Trump was also shot in the right ear by Crooks, who opened fire with an AR-style rifle from a roof 130 yards from the MAGA event in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The former president was seen grabbing at his head and ducked as screams front terrified onlookers ran out.
He then stood, pumped his fist and chanted ‘fight, fight, fight’ as Secret Service rushed him off stage and into a motorcade.
In an interview on Sunday, Trump revealed how turning his head away from the crowd to look at a video screen may have saved his life at the Butler, Pennsylvania rally and how he wanted to keep talking after gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks struck him in the right ear.
He said Sunday: ‘I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?’
Trump noted that he had turned slightly to the right so that he could read a chart on illegal immigrants.
‘The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount,’ he added, saying he survived ‘by luck or by God’.
The former president addressed the now-iconic moment where he raised his fist and mouthed ‘fight’ to the stunned audience in an interview on Sunday
‘If I only half-turn, it hits the back of the brain. The other way goes right through [my skull]. And because the sign was high, I’m looking up. The chances of my making a perfect turn are probably one tenth of one percent, so I’m not supposed to be here.’
‘I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,’ Trump told the New York Post. ‘I’m supposed to be dead.’
‘Because the thing was an eighth of an inch away. That I would turn exactly at that second, where he [the gunman] wouldn’t stop the shot is pretty amazing. Pretty amazing. I’m really not supposed to be here.’
Trump turned his head at the vital moment and ended up with a bloody ear. He was hustled off stage by his Secret Service detail, but not before giving his supporters a clenched fist salute.
The former president addressed the now-iconic moment where he raised his fist and mouthed ‘fight’ to the stunned audience.
‘A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,’ Trump said. ‘They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture.’
He said he wanted his fans to know he was alright ‘and that America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong.’
‘The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there; it’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was looking. I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK,’ Trump added.