By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies | July 14, 2024
BUTLER, PA – The state of Pennsylvania mourns the tragic loss of former fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was killed while protecting his family during a violent incident at a Trump campaign rally on Saturday. Governor Josh Shapiro announced Sunday that state flags would fly at half-mast in Comperatore’s honor. The governor also called for prayers for the families of Comperatore and the two other critically injured spectators, as authorities investigate what appears to be an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
In a heartfelt press conference held in Butler, Governor Shapiro shared his recent conversation with Comperatore’s wife and daughters. “Corey was a girl-dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday,” Shapiro said, with permission from Helen Comperatore to recount their discussion. “He was so excited last night to be there with [Trump] and the community,” he added. Helen Comperatore emphasized that her husband died a hero, diving onto his family to shield them from gunfire.
Corey Comperatore was the former chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. Buffalo Township Supervisor Michael Oehling expressed his condolences in an email to the Post-Gazette, stating that Comperatore died while “protecting his wife and daughters.” “He was an amazing man,” Oehling added. Social media posts from Comperatore’s family reflected their profound grief and loss.
Dawn Comperatore Schafer, Corey’s sister, shared her sorrow on Facebook, stating, “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.” She described him as a hero who shielded his daughters, emphasizing the family’s immense loss and pain.
The rally, held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, was abruptly interrupted around 6:15 p.m. when gunfire erupted, and Trump was rushed off stage with a bloody wound around his right ear. The former president later confirmed that a bullet had pierced his ear but assured his supporters that he was “fine.” Thousands had gathered in anticipation of Trump’s appearance ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.
Authorities reported that one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded. The injured victims, currently being treated at Allegheny General Hospital, have not been publicly identified. Governor Shapiro mentioned that he had spoken with one of the victims’ families and attempted to reach the other.
Comperatore’s daughter, Allyson, recounted the chaos of the event, describing her father as a “real-life superhero” who shielded her and her mother from the gunfire. “He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us,” she wrote. His wife echoed this sentiment in her own social media post, stating that what was supposed to be an uplifting event turned into a nightmare. “He died the hero he always was,” she wrote.
Steven Warheit, who considered Comperatore a brother, expressed his grief on Facebook. He reminisced about their childhood adventures and described Comperatore as a man who loved his family and God fiercely. “Corey Comperatore was a great man who loved his family fiercely and did the same with God,” he wrote. Others, like political communications strategist Bob Bellafiore, also paid tribute, highlighting Comperatore’s instinct to protect.
Comperatore was an engineer at JSP, according to his LinkedIn profile. FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek extended his condolences to Comperatore’s family and the other victims’ families. In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign established on Sunday to support the Comperatore family has raised over $151,000, far surpassing its initial goal of $7,000.
As the community rallies around the Comperatore family, they remember a man who lived his life with bravery, dedication, and an unwavering love for his family.