Marine veteran David Dutch ID’d as one of the 2 men injured in Trump rally shooting
A US Marine veteran 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.
David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, was hit 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.
“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 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.”
Everything we know about the Trump assassination attempt
- 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service agents.
- The gunman grazed Trump’s ear, killed a 50-year-old retired fire chief, and injured two other rally-goers.
- Investigators detailed Crooks’ search history to lawmakers, revealing that he looked for the dates of Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention.
- Crooks’ search history also revealed a broad interest in high-profile people and celebrities, regardless of their political affiliation, FBI officials reportedly said.
- Trump exclusively recounted surviving the “surreal” assassination attempt with The Post at the rally, remarking, “I’m supposed to be dead.”
- High-profile politicians, including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, addressed the nation about the shooting, calling it “a heinous, horrible and cowardly act.”
Dutch had been installed as 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.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
Would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks visited gun range dozens of times — including Christmas — for ‘intense preparation’- Newly surfaced texts show Trump rally gunman was on authorities’ radar more than 90 minutes before shooting: report
- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
Along with the two injured spectators, officials identified Corey Comperatore, 50, as the Trump supporter killed by Crooks on Saturday.
Comperatore, a father of wo and former chief for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, died while protecting his wife and daughter from the gunfire, according to his family.
