The man killed at a Trump rally died while protecting his family. Neighbors say two more people were injured

BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — The passerby was killed when a sniper opened fire on a rally To former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, he was a beloved family man and father of girls who served his community with “quiet resilience,” his relatives said Monday.

Corey D. Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, raised two daughters with his high school sweetheart while working as a project and tool engineer. He was also an Army reservist for a decade and a volunteer firefighter for many years, where he also served as chief for a time, according to his obituary.

“His courage was not loud and boisterous; it was the courage of quiet resilience,” the tribute said. “Corey’s legacy is not only made up of the major milestones he achieved, but also the small acts of kindness that marked his daily life.”

Comperatore died on Saturday in an assassination attempt on Trump at the Butler rally, which left the former president with a bloody ear injury. Comperatore spent his final moments protects his family from gunshots before he was killed, Governor Josh Shapiro said.

Two other bystanders injured in the attack remained hospitalized Monday in critical but stable condition, according to a spokesman for Allegheny General Hospital. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, is a former Marine who worked for decades as a machinist at Siemens USA. James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, had retired after managing a state-owned liquor store in Pennsylvania.

Dutch had served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm during his time in the Marines from 1986 to 1992, earning several medals, including one for combat action. More recently, he served as commander of the local chapter of the Marine Corps League, a fraternal organization.

A relative reached by phone on 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 neighbor said that like most people on the street, Dutch took care of his family, pets and belongings while working to make ends meet. He occasionally grumbled about the government, the neighbor said, but no more than anyone else.

“Everyone was too busy trying to keep their heads above water. He was no different than anyone else,” said Chris Race, who lived next door to Dutch for about a decade.

“He didn’t have a 10-foot American flag over his house,” he said. “He was a regular citizen, a former Marine. He cared about his country like anybody else. He just got caught up in a bad situation, it sounds like.”

Copenhaver’s family issued a brief statement Tuesday thanking the first responders and medical personnel who helped him, as well as everyone who has “offered their thoughts, prayers and support as Jim and his family recover from this horrific, senseless and unnecessary act of violence.” The family did not provide details about his injuries, but called them “life-changing.” The family said no further information would be released and referred questions to their attorney.

According to Albert Quaye, a Moon Township supervisor and friend, Copenhaven became more interested in local issues about three years ago when he and his neighbors expressed concerns about a proposed housing project up the street.

After the issue died down, people eventually turned away—but not Copenhaver, who has faithfully attended community meetings ever since.

“He just liked local politics. He started getting interested in it,” Quaye said. “There were times when he was the only person there and we said, ‘Jim, what do you think?'”

Eventually, Copenhaver was appointed to the township’s military banner committee. Quaye said Copenhaver’s son is an Air Force officer and he is married with several grandchildren.

“He is a healthy 74-year-old,” Quaye said.

Mike Joos, who was fire chief during Comperatore’s tenure as Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department chief, said he led his colleagues into the burning buildings – and they followed him because they knew they could trust him.

“It takes a certain kind of person,” said Joos.

High school classmate Natalie Thimons said neither Comperatore nor his wife have ever had another relationship. Their daughters are now in their 20s.

“I don’t think you can find anyone who would say anything bad about them,” said Thimons, 50, of Brackenridge. “He loved and adored his daughters. They were his life.”

___ Dale reported from Philadelphia, Hollingsworth from Mission, Kansas, and Rubinkam from northeastern Pennsylvania.