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 campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
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.
“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.”
Everything we know about Trump assassination attempt
- Former President Donald Trump was targeted by a shooter during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania
- Trump’s face was grazed by a bullet during the shooting
- The gunman and one bystander have been killed
- President Biden addressed the nation and referred to the shooting as sick, saying he “tried to get ahold of Donald”
- Exclusive: First photos of Thomas Matthew Crooks emerge after assassination attempt
- Donald Trump urges the nation to not let ‘evil win’ and ‘fear not’ after shooting
- World leaders condemn ‘political violence’ at Trump rally: ‘Can’t take anything for granted’
Keep up to date on updates with The Post’s live blog on the assassination attempt on Trump
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.
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“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.
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.