One of two spectators injured by the gunman who shot and injured former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania has been identified as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
According to the Pennsylvania chapter of the Marine Corps League (MCL), David Duch, 57, of New Kensington, was shot twice on Saturday when Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire on President Trump and his supporters.
MCL District 8 Deputy Commander Matt Popovich broke the news to his fellow Marines Sunday afternoon, as Pennsylvania State Police identified Duch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver as the two injured rally attendees.
“I think everyone is watching the news and appalled at how divided we are,” Popovich said in a Facebook post on Sunday. “The shockwaves have finally hit the league.”
“We are deeply saddened that one of the civilians shot at the rally was one of our own,” he added. “Westmore County Commander David Duch was shot in the liver and chest and is in critical condition.”
“He’s already had one surgery and is scheduled to have another this morning,” Popovich continued. “He is currently in an induced coma.”
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Duch became commander of the Westmoreland County Marine Corps League Detachment 1416 last year. According to local media outlet TribLIVE:.
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Parris told reporters Sunday afternoon that both Duch and Copenhaver were in stable condition.
One of Duch’s neighbors, William Pepper, said the Marine Corps veteran was a “good guy.”
Pepper and her boyfriend recalled how Dutch helped them when their dog died last month.
“Dutch, I carried the dog to the car,” Pepper said.
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“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families today,” Paris said, echoing Popovich’s call for the community to come together in prayer for injured veterans.
Authorities have identified Corey Comperatore, 50, the Trump supporter who was killed by Crooks on Saturday, along with two injured spectators.
Comperatore, a father of two and former captain of the Buffalo Township Fire Department, died while trying to protect his wife and daughter from gunfire, his family said.
