I would say "dad you didn't do it".
He would say "No., but I am sorry you got hurt".
That is what Christians say to each other when they are sad, hurt or grieving. It is a comfort word as well as an apology.
Please...on national TV he apologized, not for the fact it happened to Ben, because his campaign was involved. And if that were the case, why the request for the private meeting after he already said he was “sorry” it happened to Ben?