Trump rally victim named as former fire chief Corey Comperatore as family say he died shielding daughter from bullets
A FORMER fire chief has been identified as the victim who was shot dead during Donald Trump’s assassination attempt on Saturday.
Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief for Buffalo Township, died protecting his daughter from bullets at the rally.
The shooter has since been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.
A sniper shot him dead just moments after he fired bullets at Trump, killing Comperatore in the crowd.
The victim’s brother posted to Facebook on Sunday morning, grieving the loss of his “baby brother.”
“The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most,” he wrote in the post.
“He was a hero who shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable.
“My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience. Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds.
“Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me, and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality.”
A GoFundMe for his family has also been created on behalf of Comperatore’s daughter Allyson.
It has been going up every second and has already amassed over $125,000 as of Sunday afternoon.
“Saturday night, our friend and family, Allyson, lost her father due to a senseless, tragic act at the Trump Rally in Butler,” a friend wrote on a GoFundMe.
“Allyson has been an athlete with us since the beginning.
“She’s a huge part of our community. If you’re able to support her and her family during this time, we will have a spot for donations at the gym. Additionally, please take the time to sign the cards at the desk.”
HAUNTING PHOTO
The victim’s wife has not made statements following Comperatore’s death, but she posted a haunting photo to Facebook.
Sunday morning, she posted a picture of the American flag that was held at the Trump rally.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
It is being lit by the only light in the image.
Both Allyson and her mother have changed their Facebook profile photos to an image with Comperatore.
‘DIED A HERO’
On Sunday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke about Comperatore after speaking to his wife and two daughters.
He called the former fire chief a “hero.”
“Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. Most especially, Corey loved his family,” per CNN.
Shapiro described Comperatore as an “avid supporter of the former president” and said he was excited to be at the rally.
What we know so far:
- A shooter opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former President
- Dramatic footage showed the moment Trump dived behind his podium as Secret Service agents closed in
- The FBI confirmed it was an assassination attempt, but said there was no prior threat
- Trump broke his silence with a statement describing the shooting – after a bullet struck his ear and left blood pouring down the side of his face
- A hot microphone captured the moment Secret Service agents screamed “Get down!”
- The shooter – identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks – was shot dead by Secret Service agents at the scene
- A witness claims he warned police about a man with a rifle on a nearby roof minutes before the attack
- President Joe Biden dubbed the shooting “sick,” and has suspended campaigning for the next two days
“I asked Corey’s wife if it would be okay for me to share that we spoke. She said yes. She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero,
“Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,” he said.
He added that “all leaders need to take down the temperature and rise above the hateful rhetoric that exists and search for a better brighter future for this nation.”
‘EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES’
Trump posted to his social media platform Truth Social after the shooting to share the moment he knew he was shot.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the shooting.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Members of Trump’s family as well as former presidents have condemned the shooting and offer sympathy for the horrific events.
Former president Barack Obama said “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy” while President Joe Biden had a similar said “We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Butler Police Department for an update.
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