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Two men shot during Pennsylvania assassination attempt on Trump say Secret Service failed them

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Two men shot during Pennsylvania assassination attempt on Trump say Secret Service failed them


BUTLER, Pa. — Two men who were shot during the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump this summer say the U.S. Secret Service was “negligent” in protecting the former president and other bystanders at the campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

David Dutch, 57, an ex-Marine, and James Copenhaver, 74, a retired liquor store manager, told NBC News in an exclusive interview Monday they were excited to be sitting in the bleachers behind the Republican nominee at the fairgrounds in Butler on July 13 when gunshots rang out and they were hit.

Another man, Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed in the shooting while shielding his family. Trump was wounded in the ear.

The interview with the two Pennsylvania men who were critically injured marked their first public statements since 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, opened fire in July from an unsecured rooftop nearby before he was fatally shot by sharpshooters.

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“It was like getting hit with a sledgehammer right in the chest,” said Dutch, who served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm in his time with the Marines from 1986 to 1992. He said he could see chunks of the bleacher and metal “flying all around” until the shooting stopped.

Dutch said Monday he was still “angry that the whole situation even happened. It should have never happened.” NBC News reported the two men’s attorneys said they were looking into possible litigation over what they view as negligence by the Secret Service.

“It wouldn’t have happened, had it been secure,” Copenhaver said.

Kimberly Cheatle, director of the Secret Service at the time, called the attempt on Trump’s life at the Pennsylvania rally the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.” She stepped down this summer after lawmakers called for her to resign.

Trump returned earlier this month to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, urging a large crowd to deliver an Election Day victory that he tied to his survival of the shooting.

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Pennsylvania artists creates painting for fallen IRCSO deputy

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Pennsylvania artists creates painting for fallen IRCSO deputy


INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — A Pennsylvania artist is honoring Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, through a moving tribute — a powerful painting inspired by her service and sacrifice.

Jonny Castro created the piece, and he is a police officer and forensic composite artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WATCH WPTV’S COVERAGE BELOW:

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Pennsylvania artists creates painting for fallen IRCSO deputy

Castro has created more than 2,000 portraits of fallen first responders, and his most recent is Sgt. Sweeting-Mashkow’s.

“What makes it so special is just the fact that she was given that sergeant rank for giving her life in the line of duty,” said Castro. “Her selfless service and her heroism.”

Sgt. Sweeting Mashkow was shot and killed Friday while serving an eviction notice in the Bermuda Club Community off A1A. Castro ties in his roles as a police officer and forensic composite artist into his work.

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“You’re constantly working, constantly drawing facial features, so about 10 years ago, coming up on 10 years, I did my first one and everybody seemed to enjoy it,” said Castro.

He said after learning about Sgt. Sweeting Mashkow’s tragedy, he was deeply moved. He learned about it on social media and immediately began sketching.

“It’s sad to think that she was on the job for 25 years,” said Castro.

He also created a portrait for the three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year.

“What do you hope loved ones say or feel when they see this portrait that you created?” asked WPTV’s Zitlali Solache.

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“I hope they know there are people like me all the way up in Pennsylvania and as far west as California that are praying for her family and wishing them the best during this tragic time — especially around the holidays,’ replied Castro.

The goal is for the art to be a piece that the family holds dearly. Castro said he will also begin sketching David Long’s piece on Tuesday. Long is the locksmith also involved in the fatal eviction call.

“I think that’s what makes it special, just because she doesn’t have any photos. She will never have a photo as a sergeant,’ said Castro. “This may be the only one, so I just hope to know the family enjoys it and they hang it proud on their wall.”

Castro says he will be in touch with Sheriff Eric Flowers to ship the painting over.





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Popular HBO series gets biggest-ever Pa. film tax credit | Today in Pa.

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Popular HBO series gets biggest-ever Pa. film tax credit | Today in Pa.


Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard.

You can listen to the latest episode of “Today in Pa” on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate “Today in Pa.” as you see fit!

SEPTA says it’ll fully restore rail service by late next month. Alcohol sales dipped statewide last year. This is Thanksgiving’s current forecast, which many of you might be wondering about. Also, Pennsylvania just gave a record film tax credit to a popular HBO series.

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Pennsylvania adopts CROWN Act, preventing discrimination based on a person’s hair

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Pennsylvania adopts CROWN Act, preventing discrimination based on a person’s hair


Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7:28PM

Pennsylvania adopts CROWN Act, preventing discrimination based on a person's hair

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro officially signed a bill, known as the CROWN Act, on Tuesday.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Pennsylvania took a major step towards equality when it comes to natural hair.

Governor Josh Shapiro was at the Island Design Natural Hair Studio in Philadelphia’s Parkside neighborhood on Tuesday morning to officially sign a bill, known as the CROWN Act.

It prevents discrimination based on a person’s hair type, texture or style in schools, the workplace and social venues.

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Pennsylvania is now the 28th state to adopt the CROWN Act, joining New Jersey and Delaware.

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