A gunman opened fire on former President Donald Trump during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. While Trump’s team confirmed he is unharmed, one person was killed, and two others sustained critical injuries.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, both individuals who were seriously injured are currently in stable condition. Texas Representative Ronny Jackson stated that his nephew was also injured at the rally, but the injuries were not serious.
Trump, who sustained an injury to the upper part of his right ear, expressed his prayers for the injured and remembered the individual who was killed in a statement.
Trump authorized his campaign finance director, Meredith O’Rourke, to initiate a fundraiser for all the victims impacted by the assassination attempt. As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had surpassed its initial goal of $1 million, exceeding $4 million.
Legislators across the political spectrum denounced the shooting and extended well wishes to Trump. “Look, there is no place in America for this kind of violence,” declared President Joe Biden during a press briefing on Saturday evening. “It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons we’ve got to unite the country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
The gunman, identified by the FBI, was neutralized by the Secret Service at the rally.
Here’s what to know about the victims.
Corey Comperatore
Corey Comperatore, 50, perished on Saturday while shielding his family from the shooter. Comperatore, from Sarver, Pennsylvania, was struck by a gunshot to the head and succumbed to his injuries at the rally, according to authorities. An emergency room doctor who was present at the rally attempted to provide medical assistance to Comperatore and intended to administer CPR but discovered he had no pulse, according to a statement by James Sweetland .
“Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,” stated Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during a Sunday press conference. “Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”
Comperatore was recognized as a dedicated man who attended church every Sunday and cared deeply for his community. He worked at a plastics manufacturing company and volunteered as a firefighter. His fire gear is currently displayed at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Firefighter Company, .
Governor Shapiro ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Sunday. Comperatore leaves behind two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, both in their 20s.
David Dutch
Authorities also identified one of the victims as David Dutch, a 57-year-old resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. According to his LinkedIn page, Dutch has been employed by Siemens for over 25 years. He is reported to be in stable condition.
Pennsylvania District Vice Commandant Matt Popovich released a statement confirming that Dutch was shot in the liver and chest. “He has had one surgery and is undergoing another this morning. He is currently in an induced coma,” the statement, shared on the Marine Corps League Orlando’s on Sunday, said. “Please keep him and his family in your prayers.”
Dutch is a U.S. Marine veteran.
James Copenhaver
The other victim is James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. He is also in stable condition.