The spectator who died at Donald Trump’s Saturday rally was a firefighter and ardent Trump supporter and “girl dad,” authorities said Sunday.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has identified the man killed at a President Trump rally as Corey Comperatore.
“Corey was a girl’s father. Corey was a firefighter,” Shapiro told reporters on Sunday. “Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community and especially his family.”
Comperatore died when a gunman attempted to assassinate him at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two other attendees were also taken to the hospital.
“Corey died a hero,” Shapiro continued. “Corey jumped in to protect his family at last night’s rally. Corey was the best of us. May his memory be blessed.”
President Joe Biden said at a press conference Sunday afternoon that he and his family offered their “deepest condolences” to Comperatore’s family.
“He was a father,” Biden said. “He was trying to protect his family from bullets and he lost his life. God love him.”
One of Comperatore’s daughters, Allison, updated her Facebook profile picture on Sunday to a photo of herself and her father, which prompted dozens of people to comment and offer their condolences.
Reporters reached out to the Comperatore family on Sunday afternoon, but they declined to comment to newspapers about the incident at this time. In a phone call, the family said they are currently preparing a statement about the deaths of their family members.
Two victims of Trump rally shooting remain in critical condition Sunday
The FBI identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was shot and killed by a Secret Service agent shortly after shots rang out at a Trump rally. Crooks was shot in the ear and had blood splattered on his face but was otherwise unharmed.
Two other people who attended Trump’s rally were being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and remain in critical condition, Allegheny Health Network spokeswoman Nikki Buccina confirmed.
A GoFundMe page in support of President Trump was set up to solicit donations for rally attendees injured or killed in the shooting, and as of Sunday had raised more than $1 million.
GoFundMe for Trump rally shooting victims raises more than $1 million
More than 16,000 people donated to a GoFundMe to support the Trump rally attendees who were injured or killed on Saturday. The fundraising goal was $1 million, and had reached $1,171,688 by Sunday.
Large donations from prominent donors include $50,000 from singer and Trump supporter Kid Rock, $30,000 from Republican and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami, and $15,000 from conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro.
Jason Babb, who owns a gym about eight miles away in Butler, Pennsylvania, set up a separate GoFundMe for Comperatore’s daughter, Allison. By early Sunday afternoon, it had raised more than $200,000.
“Saturday night, our friend and family member Allison lost her father in a senseless and tragic act at the Trump rally in Butler,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Allison has been an athlete with us since the beginning and she is a huge part of our community. If you are able to support her and her family during this time, we will have a donation area set up in the gym and you can sign the card at the desk.”
This report will be updated.
Garrett Roberts and Erin Mansfield contributed to this report.
