A Pennsylvanian family is mourning the loss of their husband and father after he threw his body over his family when shooting broke out at a Trump rally.
At just 50 years old, Corey Comperatore from Butler, PA, died while protecting his family on Saturday, July 13, 2024. He was the former fire chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company.
"Corey was the very best of us," said Gov. Josh Shapiro during a press conference. "May his memory be a blessing."
The Comperatore family attended the rally when chaos broke out and a shooter attempted to kill former president Donald Trump. While Trump ended up with a small wound on his ear, two spectators were injured, and Comperatore was killed.
"Corey was a girl dad," said Shapiro. "Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family."
Comperatore's daughter Allyson attended the rally and shared her gratitude for her dad's heroic choice on Facebook.
"He shielded my body from the bullet that came at us. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us."
Helen, Comperatore's wife, said, "What my precious girls had to witness is unforgivable."
President Joe Biden addressed the nation Sunday evening about the event, condemning political violence and giving honour to Comperatore's bravery.
"Corey was a husband, a father, a volunteer firefighter, a hero sheltering his family from those bullets," said Biden. "We should all hold this family and all those injured in our prayers."
Trump, alongside Meredith O’Rourke, the national finance director for his 2024 election campaign, started a GoFundMe for the family and it's already raised over $3 million. Allyson, Comperatore's daughter also started one that is over $1 million.
Shapiro further honoured the family by making sure flags are flown at half-mast throughout PA.
"Let’s pray for the family who lost a husband and a dad," Christian singer Anne Wilson posted on her social media. "I know their hearts are broken. Corey Comperatore died trying to protect his family and acted as a human shield from the shots being fired towards his loved ones. He was an incredible example of a strong, courageous and selfless man. Let’s pray the peace of Jesus would surround his family and bring them immeasurable comfort."