FIRST ON FOX – David Dutch, one of the two remaining survivors of the assassination attempt on former President Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, released a statement Wednesday evening for the first time after his discharge from Allegheny County General Hospital last month.
Dutch, a 57-year-old Marine veteran, was hit by gunfire twice while he was in the bleachers behind the stage where Trump was addressing his audience when shots were fired at 6:11 p.m. on July 13.
“David, along with his wife Sheree and the entire Dutch family, would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support they have received from friends, fellow Americans, and everyone else, both at home and abroad, who have kept David and his family in their thoughts and prayers,” the Dutch family shared in a statement through their attorney at The Law Offices of Max C. Feldman.
They also expressed gratitude to “the courageous individuals who saved his life, including but not limited to the police officers, medics, life flight crew, and the dedicated medical staff at Allegheny General Hospital, as well as those who continue to support him on his recovery journey.”
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David ‘Jake’ Dutch is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. (Facebook)
“Additionally, David and his family want to extend their prayers for Corey Comperatore’s family, who was tragically killed while shielding his wife and daughters from gunfire at the rally; for James Copenhaver, who survived two gunshot wounds while exercising his right to openly support a political candidate; and for President Trump, who faced danger without flinching and continues to strive to restore America’s greatness and its status as the leading economic power in the world,” the statement concludes.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with injuries visible on his face as shots rang out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Corey Comperatore, a husband, father of two, and former fire chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, was killed while protecting his family from the gunfire.
Both Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, who was also critically injured by two gunshots during the rally, have enlisted the services of attorneys Nicholas Feldman and Joseph Feldman from The Law Offices of Max C. Feldman “to safeguard their interests as they navigate this extremely challenging period in their lives.”
VIDEO FROM TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT VICTIM’S POV SHOWS FIGURE MOVING ON ROOF MOMENTS BEFORE GUNFIRE
Trump slumped before being whisked away by Secret Service with visible injuries on the side of his head. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed that the shooter and one audience member died, and another was injured. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
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Federal authorities are still investigating the motive behind shooter Thomas Crooks’ attempt on Trump’s life.
The FBI is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to submit tips at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
