On Tuesday, a group of Pennsylvania lawmakers honored Mercer County doctor Jim Sweetland, who jumped into action and attempted to save retired firefighter Corey Comperatore after he was shot in the head during former President Donald Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Both Sweetland and Comperatore were seated behind the former president when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a nearby building. Two Trump supporters — Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch — were critically wounded in the initial volley of gunfire.
At that point, Comperatore dove on his daughter and told her to get down before Crooks squeezed off additional shots. Comperatore was then struck in the head in the second volley while shielding his daughter from gunfire. Trump was also struck by a bullet that grazed his ear before the gunman was neutralized by Secret Service counter-snipers.
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Sweetland, an emergency room physician, was undeterred by the gunfire and immediately leapt into action in order to provide care to the mortally wounded Comperatore.
Sweetland recalled that he heard a woman calling for help immediately after Secret Service agents rushed the stage. “He’s been shot. He’s down. I knew she was talking about somebody down there,” Sweetland told ABC 30.
“All I could think of was a voice in my head telling me, ‘Go, go. They need your help. Get over there,'” Sweetland said. The physician attempted CPR on Comperatore before he was transported off the bleachers by medical personnel.
On Tuesday, Sweetland was honored by a contingent of Pennsylvania lawmakers for his selfless and heroic efforts to save Comperatore.
“I think it was a divine sign by God that his hand was over this event. And there’s no doubt of divine providence that had Donald Trump twist his head in that right angle at that right instant, it’s impossible. You can’t be that lucky. God did intervene,” said Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano.
“Thank God he did, because politically, our conversation would be so different had it turned out differently. And we continue to pray for a hedge of protection over Donald Trump and his family.”
Mastriano, a retired Army colonel, then turned to Dr. Sweetland and thanked him for his courage.
“So Dr. Sweetland, courage comes in many forms. And what we saw from you on that day personifies what we hope to see in combat from soldiers. I spent 30 years in the Army, four times in combat zones, and I could not be prouder to be serving with such a citizen as you, to stand up and put your life at risk, running to the danger, trying to save Corey’s life. It’s a rare thing to see,” he said.
“And I was also struck that all the people there participating, despite the bloodshed, I didn’t see anyone running. I mean, it’s amazing the courage from Pennsylvanians in that environment. So on that sunny Saturday on 13 July in Butler, Pennsylvania, it was a scene of horror. But thank you for your courage in being a point of light in the dark, as trying to save Corey’s life.”
Former President Trump will be returning to Butler, Pennsylvania for a rally later this month. The Republican nominee has stated that the event will be a celebration of Corey Comparatore’s life, as well as those who were wounded or stepped up to help on July 13.
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