The two men who survived the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a Butler, Pennsylvania rally have publicly criticized the Secret Service for its failure to prevent the attack. In an interview with NBC News, James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, shared their traumatic experiences, with Dutch expressing deep frustration.
“I was more mad about it than anything,” Dutch said. “I was in the service, went through a war, didn’t even get a scratch. And yet, go to a rally and you get shot at in the crowd.”
A gunman fired from a nearby rooftop just minutes into Trump’s rally, grazing the former president and striking several attendees. One victim, Corey Comperatore, was killed while protecting his family. Copenhaver and Dutch were among those injured.
Recalling the moment he was hit, Copenhaver, who was shot twice, said, “I saw part of my sleeve go away and heard [gunshot noises]. I turned around to my friend and said, ‘I think I was shot.'”
Dutch, whose liver was split by a bullet, described the experience as feeling like a “sledgehammer right in the chest.” He also criticized the Secret Service for inadequate security. When asked if he believed the agency had failed, he replied, “Oh yes, big time.” Copenhaver agreed, saying, “It was a rush job. It was put together too quickly, and they skipped steps.”
This scrutiny follows another assassination attempt on Trump in Florida, where a gunman was discovered near his golf course, raising concerns over the adequacy of Secret Service protection.
Tensions were further heightened after 49-year-old Vem Miller was arrested on gun charges outside Trump’s Coachella rally. Although Miller claimed his firearms were legally reported, speculation remains high following the previous assassination attempts. Miller was released on $5,000 bail, and no federal charges have been filed so far.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
