Ex-Volunteer Fire Chief Corey Comperatore Identified as Trump Rally Shooting Victim; Shielded Daughter from Bullets

Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief of Buffalo Township, was tragically killed by a sniper during a rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday.

Corey Comperatore was identified as the spectator killed at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Facebook

The 50-year-old Comperatore was identified as the victim of the shooting carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, which left Trump and two others wounded, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed on Sunday.

Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, revealed that her brother died while shielding his daughter from gunfire during Trump’s speech. “The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters,” she wrote on Facebook. “His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable.”

Allyson Comperatore, Corey’s daughter, described her father as “the best dad a girl could ever ask for,” mourning his sudden death.

Comperatore had served as the fire chief for Buffalo Township. AFP via Getty Images

According to Allyson, when the shots rang out, her father acted quickly, throwing her and her mother to the ground to protect them. “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us,” she wrote. “And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you.”

Helen Comperatore, Corey’s wife, echoed her daughter’s sentiments, calling him a “real-life superhero” who protected them.

“Yesterday, what [was meant to] be such an exciting day for my husband, especially, turned into a nightmare for our family,”

Helen wrote on Facebook. “What my precious girls had to witness is unforgivable. He died the hero he always was.”

Comperatore’s daughter, Allyson, called her father “the best dad a girl could ever ask for.” LinkedIn

Governor Shapiro described Comperatore as an “avid supporter” of Trump who was excited to attend the rally in Butler.

He hailed Comperatore as a local hero and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honour. “Corey died a hero,” Shapiro said. “Corey was the very best of us.”

A GoFundMe page established to support Helen and Allyson has raised more than $27,000 as of Sunday noon.

Officials reported that Crooks was stationed on a rooftop near Trump’s rally when he fired multiple rounds at the former president and the crowd.

A Secret Service sniper subsequently killed him. An AR-style rifle, purchased by Crooks’ father, was found at the scene. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.