Retired Physician Reflects on Trump Rally Shooting: 'I Thought the Worst'

Dr. James Sweetland, a retired emergency physician, recounts the horrifying moments he witnessed and the medical assistance he provided to wounded rally-goers, including a slain volunteer firefighter, at the recent Trump rally shooting in Pennsylvania.

Amidst the thunderous roar of political fervor at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a chilling symphony of gunshots erupted, shattering the festive atmosphere and plunging the crowd into chaos. While former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, others were not so fortunate. Among those who answered the call to help was Dr. James Sweetland, a retired emergency physician.

Dr. Sweetland vividly recalls the heart-pounding moments that unfolded. "There were three pops. There was maybe a three or four-second pause, and then it was followed by four more pops," he describes. "I turned to look to our right, over the field, and a line of trees to see where it was coming from."

Retired Physician Reflects on Trump Rally Shooting: 'I Thought the Worst'

His attention was then drawn to a pile of Secret Service agents descending upon Trump. "It quickly became a human pyramid of about six Secret Service agents," he says. "I thought the worst."

Amidst the pandemonium, a woman's voice pierced the air, calling for help. "He's been shot. Help! He's been shot. He's down. Help him!" she cried out.

Retired Physician Reflects on Trump Rally Shooting: 'I Thought the Worst'

Dr. Sweetland rushed to the source of the plea, stumbling over those who had taken cover. His gaze fell upon a large pool of blood and a sight that sent a chill down his spine: brain matter. He quickly ascertained that the victim, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, had sustained a fatal bullet wound just above his right ear.

With a heavy heart, Dr. Sweetland performed CPR on Comperatore, but it was too late. "I was performing CPR at the feet of his wife and daughter," he recalls. "I'll never forget the look in their face when I looked up at them. It was…of grief, being appalled and still kind of a look of hope."

Retired Physician Reflects on Trump Rally Shooting: 'I Thought the Worst'

Comperatore's tragic demise was a testament to his heroic act of selflessness. He had shielded his wife and family from the gunfire, sacrificing his own life to protect theirs.

The shooting also left two other rally-goers injured, James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57. In the midst of the chaos, Trump went down, surrounded by Secret Service agents. It was unclear at first whether he had been hit.

Retired Physician Reflects on Trump Rally Shooting: 'I Thought the Worst'

"I heard a roar from the crowd behind me," Dr. Sweetland says. "I didn't turn around, but I assumed that there was something going on behind me."

"I wasn't aware till later that those cheers were when he gave the fist bump up in the air, and that was what the crowd wanted to know that he was OK."

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Trump has expressed his unwavering determination to continue his political endeavors. "It was supposed to be a humdinger of a speech, but we had a little interruption," he told ABC News. "But it worked out for the best."

The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt, which has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.