Portuguese Businessman from New Jersey Who Survived a Grazing Gunshot to the Head, Like Trump, Says He Is “Very Grateful for Life”
The attempt on the life of former U.S. President Donald Trump weeks ago in the state of Pennsylvania brought a successful Portuguese businessman living in New Jersey back to the past, making him relive a similar episode in which luck also played a key role in saving his life. In fact, the similarities between the attempted assassination of the Republican candidate for the White House and the incident involving Caesar DePaço, CEO and founder of Summit Nutritionals International, Inc., are noteworthy.
The attempt on former President Donald Trump's life brought back memories of the past for Portuguese businessman Caesar DePaço from New Jersey.
The day I was grazed by a bullet to the head in Cambodia is a memory that remains vivid in my mind. It was a moment of great confusion and panic, but also of immense gratitude for life
Said the businessman, a native of the Azores, in an exclusive interview with the LUSO-AMERICANO newspaper.
It was during a campaign rally that Donald Trump was the target of a grazing shot that hit his right ear.
It was during a campaign rally that Donald Trump was the target of a grazing shot that hit his right ear. Images of the bloodied candidate, with his fist in the air shouting 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' went viral around the world and became iconic—rare, even, in the history and psyche of American elections, given that, of the 45 occupants of the White House, only four have been assassinated while in office.
Caesar DePaço was a university professor in Bangkok, Thailand, at the time when he decided to visit a friend in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was February 10, 1993. He was at a hotel in the city's tourist center when, noticing something unusual outside, he decided to go to the window and ended up being struck by a stray bullet that grazed his head.
The ambush by 'unidentified armed men in military uniforms,' as reported at the time by the American daily 'Los Angeles Times,' resulted in the deaths of two Cambodian nationals and the injury 'of a Portuguese tourist and nine other people.' News of the event spread worldwide, from the pages of the 'New York Times' to all Western news agencies.
That region of Asia was experiencing politically turbulent times in the early 1990s, with the actions of the so-called Khmer Rouge (followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, which held power in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by the despot Pol Pot and others) spreading terror.
By a twist of fate, DePaço ended up getting caught in the web of the country's complicated political situation, from which he would escape, now having a remarkable story to tell...
The visa for Cambodia in Caesar DePaço's passport.
Cambodia marked in red on the map
“It was a moment of great confusion and panic, but also of extreme gratitude for life,” he notes. “I remember the immediate shock and pain after the shot, followed by a series of thoughts about my loved ones. Despite the severity of the incident, I feel fortunate to have survived and to have been able to continue my life with few physical repercussions. That event changed my perspective on life, teaching me to value every moment and never underestimate the importance of health and safety.”
Asked about his reaction to the news of the attack on Donald Trump, the businessman reveals that he felt “a mix of emotions—shock, concern, and sadness.”
He explains: “Regardless of political differences, an act of violence against any world leader is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. I immediately thought of my own experiences with violence and the devastating impact it can have on people's lives.”
DePaço also notes that he had an “initial reaction of solidarity with President Trump and his family, sincerely hoping that he would make a full recovery. Additionally, I reflected on the importance of unity and peace in times of crisis, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue and mutual respect in politics and society in general.”
The Portuguese businessman is also known for his philanthropic side, donating millions of dollars to causes related to law and order, among others.
Source: Jornal Luso Americano