Trump rally shooting victim was former fire chief who 'dove on his ...

14 Jul 2024

World·Updated

The person who died in a shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, according to his family's posting on Facebook.

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Corey Comperatore described by colleague as 'true brother of the fire service'

Thomson Reuters

· Posted: Jul 14, 2024 1:21 PM EDT | Last Updated: 28 minutes ago

Victim of Trump rally shooting 'died a hero' while protecting family, governor says
Corey Comperatore was identified as the man killed during a shooting at a rally for former U.S. president Donald Trump on Saturday in Butler, Pa. 'Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing,' Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told a news conference.

The person who died in a shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, according to his family's posting on Facebook.

"The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most," the victim's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said in the post on Sunday.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday also identified Comperatore as the man who was killed at the rally for the presumptive Republican nominee in Butler, Pa.

Comperatore was a former fire chief from the area who loved his family, Shapiro said.

"Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night," the governor said.

Corey Comperatore, centre, is seen in this undated photo. Comperatore was killed in the Trump rally shooting. (Dawn Comperatore Schafer/Facebook)

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore "a stand-up guy" and "a true brother of the fire service."

He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he'd served for more than 20 years.

"Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out," Reamer said of Comperatore, who's survived by his wife and two daughters. "He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. He was a really good guy."

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U.S. President Joe Biden gave televised remarks following the assassination attempt. He said he's grateful Trump is safe and described what happened as "sick."

People take cover as U.S. Secret Service agents surround the stage at Trump's campaign rally. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

Trump was shot in his right ear while speaking at the rally and was immediately shielded by Secret Service agents. Moments later, he got up, pumped his fist in the air and was whisked away to safety.

A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman — identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa. — was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday identified the two people wounded in the shooting, both of whom were listed in stable condition in hospital. They are 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pa., and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pa.

With files from The Associated Press

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