A tragic incident unfolded during a campaign rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, as an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump resulted in the death of volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore. The 50-year-old Comperatore, who previously served as the chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, lost his life while protecting his family during the attack.
The news was confirmed by Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, in a heartfelt Facebook post. She expressed her grief, stating, “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.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who spoke to Comperatore’s wife and children, also verified the firefighter’s identity during a news conference. He revealed that Comperatore was a devoted father of two daughters and a regular churchgoer. Governor Shapiro shared the poignant words of Comperatore’s wife, who described her husband as a hero, stating that he shielded their family from harm during the rally.
The suspect responsible for the assassination attempt has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Authorities are still investigating Crooks’ motives, which remain unknown at this time. Using an assault rifle from the roof of a nearby building, Crooks opened fire on the president, injuring his right ear before being swiftly neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Tragically, two other individuals were also injured during the incident and are currently in critical condition. Authorities discovered explosive devices in Crooks’ vehicle, prompting a search of his residence.
