Man killed at Trump rally was a former fire chief and 'died a hero,' governor says

Republican presidential candidate Former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. Photo credit Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The man who was killed at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday has been identified as a former fire chief.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Corey Comperatore “died a hero,” according to a video shared by CBS News on Sunday.

“Corey was a girl dad,” Shapiro said. “Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. Most especially, Corey loved his family. Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community.”

The Democratic governor said he spoke to Comperatore’s wife, who told Shapiro that Comperatore “dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally.”

Trump’s campaign said the former president was in “great spirits” after a bullet pierced his right ear. Two other rally attendees were injured in the shooting.

The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pa., which is about 50 miles from the scene of the shooting. Officials told the Associated Press that they had not yet determined a motive.

Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks after the shooting.

President Joe Biden was expected to address the nation about the attempted assassination attempt on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images