Corey Comperatore, the man fatally shot at attempted assassination of President Trump, was a former fire chief from Butler, Pennsylvania. Comperatore was known for his dedication to his family, love of Jesus and service to the community. He was attending the rally with his family when the shooting occurred. Despite the immediate medical intervention by an emergency room physician, Dr. James Sweetland, Comperatore’s injuries were too severe. Comperatore was seated behind former President Trump at the rally.
The victim’s sister said on social media, “the hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most.” Dawn Comperatore Schafer said “he was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable. My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience. Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds.”
His daughter, Allyson Comperatore, reportedly said on social media, “He was the best dad a girl could have.” She added, “The media will not tell you that he was a real-life superhero.” The victim’s daughter described how quickly her father threw her and her mother to the ground and “shielded my body from the bullet that came at us.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a Sunday morning press conference that he spoke to Comperatore’s wife and two daughters who wanted to share that he was a hero. It was reported that the wife said Comperatore was a dedicated family man, firefighter, and churchgoer who deeply loved his community. He was an avid supporter of the former president and attended the rally with great excitement. According to the wife he dove on his family to protect them and tragically died.
In an interview immediately after the shooting Saturday evening, Sweetland said he approached the victim, identified himself as an “emergency room physician,” and offered assistance. He described the victim as having a “headshot” with “lots of blood” and “brain matter.” Sweetland performed chest compressions and administered breaths. He later told CBS News that he continued CPR for about two minutes before state police took over. Sweetland mentioned that other people present on the risers, despite being in shock, were helpful in placing the victim on the risers. He noted that the police picked up the victim like a “rag doll,” and the look on the victim’s family’s faces “told it all.”
Authorities have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Matthew Crooks, who was killed on the scene by federal agents.
Corey Comperatore’s last post on X was a response to Catturd who asked “So what’s everyone getting into this weekend?” Comperatore replied, “Trump rally! Butler, PA.”
Trump rally! Butler, PA
— Corey Comperatore (@Corey_Comper) July 13, 2024
At least two GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help the Comperatore family individually and the families of the injured rally-goers generally.
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Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Corey Comperatore” by Allyson Comperatore.
