Victim at Trump rally died trying to protect his family
BUTLER TWP — The man who died during Saturday’s attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was trying to protect his family when he was fatally shot, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Shapiro identified him as Corey Comperatore, former chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, who was shot during a preconvention rally for the former president at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Shapiro, who publicly identified Comperatore on Sunday, said he died a heroic death by diving on top of his family to protect them as shots were fired.
Shapiro, who held a news conference in front of the Butler Township municipal building Sunday afternoon, July 14, said Comperatore “died a hero.” by diving on his family while trying to protect them as shots were fired.
Shapiro was relayed the information during a briefing from the FBI, which has taken the lead in investigating the attempted assassination of Trump.
In addition to being a volunteer firefighter, Comperatore was married and a father of two.
“Corey was a ‘girl dad.’ Corey was a firefighter,” Shapiro said. “Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. Most especially, Corey loved his family.”
Shapiro said Comperatore was an avid Trump supporter. Shapiro ordered flags across the state be flown at half-staff in honor of Comperatore.
In addition to Comperatore and the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, two others who were wounded are in critical condition, and have not been identified as of Sunday afternoon.
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