BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — A former fire chief killed at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally spent his final moments jumping in front of his family to protect them from gunfire that rang out at the rally on Saturday. Assassination attempt To the former president.
Corey Comperatore’s snap decision to use his body as a shield to protect his wife and daughter from bullets flying toward them rang true to close friends and neighbors who love and respect the 50-year-old and proud Trump supporter, noting that the Butler County resident is a “man of conviction.”
“He’s a literal hero. He pushed his family out of the way and gave his life for them,” said Mike Morehouse, who lived next door to Comperatore for eight years. “He’s a hero that I’m glad to have as a neighbor.”
Comperatore died Saturday while attempting to kill Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Police said at least two other people were injured: David Duch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Both were in stable condition as of Sunday.
As support began to pour in for Comperatore’s family from across the country, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also expressed their “deepest condolences.”
“He was a father. He lost his life trying to protect his family from bullets. God loves him,” Biden said, adding that he was praying for a full recovery for those injured.
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Meanwhile, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said in a statement Sunday that his nephew was injured but “fortunately not seriously.”
“My family was sitting near the front row as the president was speaking,” Jackson said. “They heard shots ring out and noticed my nephew had blood around his neck and that he had been cut by something. He was treated by medical personnel in a medical tent.”
The Secret Service The suspected shooter, The attack was launched from high ground outside the rally venue.
As the former president presented a chart showing the number of people crossing the border, at least five shots were fired. Trump clutched his ears and dropped to the ground. Agents quickly formed shields around him. Trump, his face covered in blood, rose to his feet and pumped his fist at cheering supporters as Secret Service agents escorted him off the stage.
President Trump later offered his condolences to Comperatore’s family.
Buffalo Township Fire Department Chief Randy Reimer called Comperatore “an upstanding man” and “a true brother in the fire department,” and said Comperatore served as chief for about three years, but was also a life member, meaning he had served for more than 20 years.
“Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help somebody,” Reimer said of Comperatore. “He stood by what he believed in and didn’t give in to anybody. … Just a really good guy.”
On Sunday, crews planned to pressure wash the front of the Buffalo Township Fire Department and install a memorial banner in memory of the slain former chief.
Sarver County Deputy Police Chief Ricky Heasley, who knew Comperatore for more than 10 years, remembers him as a very outgoing and energetic person.
“He never said a bad word,” Heasley said.
And a small memorial made of an American flag and a bouquet of flowers was erected in the yard of the Compera-Torres family’s two-story home in Butler County.
For Morehouse, Comperatore’s death was a traumatic experience, but it also galvanized him to become more politically active: He plans to vote for the first time in November and to check Trump’s name.
“When I heard what had happened and found out it was for Corey, I got home and immediately went upstairs and registered to vote,” Morehouse said. “It was the first time I’ve ever voted and I think it’s something he’ll remember.”
a GoFundMe A fundraiser set up to help Comperatore’s family had already raised more than $696,000 as of Sunday.
___ Todd reported from Philadelphia and Kruesi from Nashville, Tennessee.
