The Trump rally shooting that sent shock waves across the nation killed a father of two and critically wounded two other men on Saturday evening.
The victims, all adult men, include a longtime volunteer firefighter and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. All were from the Pittsburgh area, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. One died at the scene, while the two critically wounded victims were transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and were in critical but stable condition, officials said.
As more details began to emerge Sunday, tributes and prayers for the victims and their families were pouring in, including from officials such as Mayor Ed Gainey of Pittsburgh, and Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
Here’s what we know so far about the victims.
Corey Comperatore
Corey Comperatore, 50, was fatally shot in the head after he dove to cover family members who accompanied him to the rally, according to the governor.
Shapiro said Sunday that Comperatore “died a hero.” He added, “Corey was the very best of us.”
Comperatore was a father of two from Sarver, Pennsylvania, who worked at a plastic manufacturing company and loved fishing. He spent several years as a volunteer firefighter, at one point serving as the chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. He attended nearby Cabot Church, where he was selected as a future trustee in 2021, helping oversee issues such as church property and insurance.
In interviews, friends and neighbors described him as a “good man,” dedicated to his wife and two daughters and to his service as a firefighter.
Kip Johnston, the current chief of the fire company, said Comperatore was his chief for about three years. “He was a great leader,” he said. “You couldn’t meet a more humble guy.”
A neighbor, Matt Achilles, recalled when Comperatore asked if Achilles knew of anyone in need so he could donate a Christmas ham. He gave one to a single mother with five children.
David Dutch
David Dutch, 57, from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, worked at Siemens for decades, according to Jennifer Veri-Grazier, his sister. He was once a member of the Marine Corps.
Dutch has been a longtime Trump supporter, along with other members of his family, Veri-Grazier said. She saw a picture of her brother before he headed out Saturday, wearing a flag dress shirt and sunglasses. He seemed “ecstatic,” she said.
Now, he is hospitalized with damage to his liver and broken ribs, and awaiting another surgery, she said.
“He was exercising his rights and went to the rally, and he didn’t deserve any of this,” Veri-Grazier said.
James Copenhaver
Copenhaver, 74, is from Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Records showed that he was registered as a Democrat. He is married with at least one son and plays in a band, according to his friends.
Larry Wheeler, who went to high school with Copenhaver, said that just last week they talked about Trump — though he didn’t know that Copenhaver would be going to the rally.
Albert Quaye, a supervisor in Moon Township, said he first met Copenhaver a few years ago at a local board of supervisors meeting, which Copenhaver attended to share concerns about a development project near his home. He seemed to catch the local politics bug then, and kept returning to meetings, Quaye said. “He would be there sometimes with us through late-night meetings,” he said.
Copenhaver was retired, according to Quaye. A LinkedIn page that appeared to belong to Copenhaver indicated that he used to work at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Quaye didn’t have more details on Copenhaver’s condition, but said he was optimistic about his prognosis. “Jim’s a healthy 74,” he said.
c.2024 The New York Times Company
