David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, was shot twice when Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20 , fired at Trump and his supporters on Saturday, according to the Marine Corps League’s (MCL) Department of Pennsylvania.
MCL District 8 vice commandant Matt Popovich broke the news to his fellow Marines on Sunday afternoon as Pennsylvania State Police identified Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver as the two injured rallygoers.
Marine veteran David Dutch, 57, was one several hit by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks. Facebook David Dutch, 57, has been identified as one of the spectators injured after a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13 , 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Trump was struck in the right ear by a bullet. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
“I’m sure everyone has seen the news and are appalled at how divided we have become,” Popovich wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. “Well, it has finally hit home to the League.”
“It is with great sadness that I report that one of the civilians shot at the rally was one of our own,” he added. “Commandant David Dutch of Westmorland County he is in critical condition shot in the liver and chest.
“He has had one surgery and undergoing another this morning,” Popovich continued. “He is currently in an induced coma.”
Trump supporters covered in blood after the shooting. AFP via Getty Images State police officers removing a victim from the stands at the rally. AFP via Getty Images Dutch is currently in an induced coma. Getty Images
Dutch had been installed as the commandant of the Westmoreland County Marines Corps League Detachment No. 1416 last year, according to local outlet TribLIVE .
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris told reporters Sunday afternoon that both Dutch and Copenhaver were listed in stable condition.
“These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today,” Paris said, echoing Popovich’s call for the community to unite in prayers for the injured veteran.
One of Dutch’s neighbors, William Pepper, said the Marine veteran is a “good guy.”
Pepper and his girlfriend recalled how Dutch came to their aid last month when their dog died.
Dutch “carried the dog out to the car,” said Pepper.
Along with the two injured spectators, officials identified Corey Comperatore, 50 , as the Trump supporter killed by Crooks on Saturday.
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.
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