The individual shot and killed at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday has been identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter.
According to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Corey shielded his family to protect them during the gunfire. His identity was confirmed by his family’s statement 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 said in the post on Sunday.
Comperatore previously served as the chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, according to a report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Shapiro said he had spoken to Comperatore’s family and he relayed parts of the conversation to reporters.
“Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,” Shapiro said. “Corey was the very best of us.”
Corey Comperatore, survived by his wife and two daughters, was described by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a dedicated family man and community member.
Shapiro emphasized that Corey, who was tragically killed during the incident at the Pennsylvania rally, was known as a “girl dad,” a committed firefighter, and a regular church attendee. He was also noted as an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump.
During the rally, which abruptly turned violent, shots were fired, injuring both Corey and the former president, who sustained a grazing wound to his right ear. The FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect in what authorities are terming an assassination attempt on Trump.
