NEW: Trump Supporters Who Were Critically Injured During Assassination Attempt Will Attend Inauguration
Published 34 minutes ago
on January 13, 2025
By Cullen McCue
The two men who were critically injured when would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the president-elect’s Butler, Pennsylvania rally back in July will be attending 47th president’s inauguration on January 20. Trump has previously stated that he has remained in contact with the victims and their families, as well as the family of retired firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed while shielding his family from gunfire.
Jim Copenhaver, 74 of Moon Township, Pennsylvania and David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington both suffered critical injuries when Crooks first opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Crooks was forced to rush his shot at then-candidate Trump when a local police officer climbed onto the rooftop to investigate, at which point the gunman aimed his weapon at the officer before firing off the initial volley. The second volley killed Comperatore after he dove on his daughters, while Trump was struck in the ear after turning his head at the last second. Crooks squeezed off a total of eight shots before he was killed by a counter-sniper team.
Copenhaver sustained “life-altering” injuries as a result of the shooting, though he is recovering well after multiple surgeries, his family said in a statement back in July. “The Copenhaver family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support for James ‘Jim’ as he recovers from the injuries that he tragically sustained during President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024,” his family said in a statement at the time. “Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care. Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all.”
Dutch, 57, underwent multiple surgeries after he was struck twice, once in the chest and once in the liver, when Crooks opened fire. The Marine veteran was rushed to a local hospital and was put into a medically induced coma while he underwent multiple surgeries, according to the Marine Corps League’s (MCL) Department of Pennsylvania. Dutch was ultimately discharged from Allegheny General Hospital 11 days after the shooting. In a statement released at the time, Dutch thanked the first responders and medical professionals, whom he credited for saving his life. “The brave men and women that saved his life, including, but not limited to, the police officers, the medics, the life flight crew, and the medical professionals of Allegheny General Hospital, as well as those who continue to care for him as he navigates the road to recovery,” he said.
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