Chair Scott Badami offered words of comfort at the close of July's meeting
In the closing comments of the Whitpain Board of Supervisors most recent meeting, one of the community representatives took time to speak on behalf of the board about the prior week’s events. As has been widely shared by now, news spread on Saturday, July 13 as a gunman attempted to take the life of former President Donald Trump as he attended a rally in Butler, Pa.
In the attack, David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pa., and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pa. were both injured, according to a Pennsylvania State Police press release. The FBI continue to investigate the incident, which left Trump injured and bloody, with damage to his right ear.
“As a board, as a community, and as individuals, we are deeply saddened and troubled by the political violence and the assassination attempt over this past weekend,” said Whitpain Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Badami. “On behalf of Whitpain Township, our thoughts are with the former president, his family, and the families of those who were tragically injured and killed in the senseless attack.”
Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pa., lost his life in the incident, according to PSP reports. Flags in the state were ordered by Gov. Josh Shapiro to be flown at half-staff to honor Comperatore, according to police.
“We note that another Pennsylvanian, Corey Comperatore, a husband, a father, and a local firefighter was killed while heroically shielding his family during the attack,” added Badami. “As Americans, we must join together and firmly unite against gun violence, as well as any acts of hate, intimidation, or violence that seek to undermine our democracy or to inflict harm.”
Badami added that there is no place for such acts in our society, asking all to find a way to come together to end such violence.
“No doubt, gun violence remains one of our nation’s most difficult challenges,” he said. “But it is imperative we find the strength to engage in and find a solution to this seemingly never-ending, unconscionable narrative. I’m in, and I hope you’ll join me.”
