Neighbors share stories of 2 injured at Trump rally
While the community mourns a beloved family man and former Buffalo Township fire chief Corey D. Comperatore, 50, of Buffalo Township, two others who were shot at the rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds for former President Donald Trump remain in the hospital.
David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, were injured in the attack and remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to the most recent update by an Allegheny General Hospital spokesperson.
David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, is an ex-Marine who has spent decades working as a machinist with Siemens USA.
James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, retired after managing a Pennsylvania state liquor store.
Dutch had served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm during his time with the Marines from 1986 to 1992, winning several medals, including one for combat. More recently, he has served as commandant of the local chapter of the Marine Corps League, a fraternal group.
A relative reached by phone Monday said the family did not want to discuss his condition.
“Please pray for the victims and Mr. Trump,” said the relative, who hung up before giving his full name.
A former next-door neighbor said that, like most people on the street, Dutch took care of his family, pets and property while working to make ends meet. He occasionally grumbled about the government, the neighbor said, but no more than anyone else.
“Everybody was too busy trying to keep their head above water. He was no different from anybody else,” said Chris Race, who said he lived next door to Dutch for about a decade.
“He didn’t have a 10-foot American flag above his house,” he said. “He was your standard citizen who was a former Marine. Just concerned about his country like anybody else. Just got caught in a bad situation, it sounds like.”
Copenhaver had become more interested in local issues about three years ago, when he joined neighbors in raising concerns about a proposed housing development up the road, according to Albert Quaye, a Moon Township supervisor and friend.
After the issue died down, people eventually drifted away — but not Copenhaver, who has faithfully attended municipal meetings ever since.
“He just liked local politics. He starting getting into it,” Quaye said. “There were times when he was the only person there and we’d go, ‘Jim, what do you think?’”
Eventually, Copenhaver was tapped to serve on the township’s military banner committee. Quaye said Copenhaver’s son is an Air Force officer, and that he is married with several grandchildren.
“He’s a healthy 74,” Quaye said.
Tuesday, his family released a statement thanking the public for the support through Copenhaver’s recovery.
“Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care,” the statement read, in part. “Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all.'
“At this time, the Copenhaver family would kindly request that friends, the public, and the media respect the family’s privacy and allow for Jim to recover from the life-altering injuries that he sustained on July 13, 2024.”
Comperatore, of Buffalo Township, has been remembered as someone who led with “quiet resilience.”
Comperatore died Saturday after a gunman attempted to kill Trump at the rally, which left the former president bloodied from an injury to his ear. Comperatore spent his final moments shielding his family from gunfire, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
Mike Joos, who was president of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department when Comperatore served as chief, said he led his colleagues into burning buildings — and they followed, knowing they could trust him.
“That takes a certain kind of person,” Joos said.
High school classmate Natalie Thimons said neither Comperatore nor his wife had ever dated anyone else. Their daughters are now in their 20s.
“I don’t think you can find anyone that would say anything bad about either of them,” said Thimons, 50, of Brackenridge. “He loved and adored his daughters. They were his life.”
Comperatore raised two daughters with his high school sweetheart while working as a project and tooling engineer. He also spent a decade as an Army reservist and many years as a volunteer firefighter, where he also served for a time as chief, according to his obituary.
Eagle staff writer Irina Bucur contributed to this report.
