FIRST ON FOX – David Dutch, one of two surviving victims of a July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, issued a statement Wednesday night for the first time since being released from Allegheny County General Hospital last month.
Dutch, a 57-year-old Marine veteran, was shot twice while standing in the stands behind where Trump was speaking from a stage when shots rang out at 6:11 p.m. on July 13.
“David, his wife Sheree and the rest of the Dutch family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the tremendous level of support they have received from their friends, their fellow Americans and everyone else, whether at home or abroad, who have kept David and his family in their prayers,” the Dutch family said in a statement through their attorney at The Law Offices of Max C. Feldman.
They also thanked “the brave men and women who saved his life, including but not limited to police officers, doctors, the rescue flight crew and medical professionals at Allegheny General Hospital, as well as those who continue to care for him as he navigates the road to recovery.”
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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 would like to express their thoughts and prayers for the family of Corey Comperatore, who died a hero while protecting his wife and daughters from oncoming gunfire at the rally, for James Copenhaver, who survived two gunshot wounds at the rally while exercising his fundamental right to freely express his support for a political candidate, and for President Trump, who did not shrink from danger and continues his fight to Make America Great Again and restore America's position as the most powerful and economically sound country in the world,” the statement continued.
Marine David Dutch walked away from an assassination attempt with gunshot wounds, friends say
Former US President Donald Trump gestures with his bloodied face as multiple gunshots are heard during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
Comperatore, a husband, father of two and former fire chief for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, died after he was shot while shielding his wife and daughters from gunfire.
Both Dutch and James Copenhaver, 74, who was also shot twice and seriously injured at the protest, have retained attorneys Nicholas Feldman and Joseph Feldman of the Law Offices of Max C. Feldman “to protect their best interests as they navigate the most difficult time of their lives.”
VIDEO FROM TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT VICTIM'S POINT OF VIEW SHOWS FIGURE MOVING ON ROOF MOMENTS BEFORE SHOTS ARE FIRED
Trump collapsed before being taken away by Secret Service with visible wounds to the side of his head. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter and one audience member were dead and another was wounded. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
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Federal authorities are still working to determine the motive behind Thomas Crooks' attempted assassination of Trump.
The FBI is asking anyone with information about the incident to submit tips to FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
