A former fire chief tragically lost his life while shielding his family from gunfire during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Corey Comperatore, 50, attended the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13, with his wife and daughter. What began as a political gathering quickly turned into a scene of chaos and terror when shots rang out.
Governor Josh Shapiro later confirmed that Comperatore had died a hero, using his body to protect his family from the gunfire.
“Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community, and most especially, Corey loved his family,” Governor Shapiro said at a press conference. “Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community.”
Comperatore’s daughter, Allyson, shared a heartbreaking account of her father’s final moments in a now-deleted social media post. She wrote, “He quickly threw” her and her mother to the ground and “shielded my body from the bullet that came at us.” She called him a “real-life superhero” and added, “He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.”
The shooting occurred just minutes into Trump’s speech. The former president was struck in the top of his right ear but was quickly escorted to safety by Secret Service agents. Two other attendees, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were also wounded but are reportedly in stable condition.
The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, was killed by Secret Service after opening fire from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, expressed her grief on Facebook, writing, “The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable.”
As news of Comperatore’s sacrifice spread, tributes poured in from across the community and beyond. Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company where Comperatore had served as chief for about three years, remembered him as “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.”
“Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out,” Reamer said. “He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. … He was a really good guy.”
Rich Hill, the township manager of Buffalo Township, expressed his deep sadness over Comperatore’s death. “Corey was a dedicated husband, father, friend, and volunteer to the community, and will be sorely missed. Political violence is always unacceptable and should be condemned,” Hill said in an email to NPR.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extended their condolences to Comperatore’s family. “He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired and he lost his life, God love him. We’re also praying for the full recovery of those who were injured,” Biden said.
In response to the tragedy, several fundraising efforts have been launched to support the victims and their families. A GoFundMe page authorized by Trump and organized by Meredith O’Rourke, the national finance director for his 2024 election campaign, has raised more than $5 million. Another account specifically for Comperatore’s daughter Allyson has raised over $1 million.
Let us join together in prayer for the Comperatore family, for those injured in this tragic event, and for all those affected by violence. May God bring comfort, healing, and peace to their hearts during this difficult time.
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