COREY COMPERATORE desperately leapt onto his family members as assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at the Donald Trump’s rally – tragically killing him and critically injuring two others.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed Mr Comperatore’s identity on Sunday during a news conference, after speaking with his wife and children.
Mr Comperatore lived in Sarver, Pennsylvania and was husband to Helen and father to two daughters – Allyson, 27, and Kaylee, 24.
The 50-year-old victim was an “avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community”.
Governor Josh Shapiro said Mr Comperatore died a “hero”.
Mr Comperatore formerly served as the chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company.
This is about 15 miles southeast of Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to his social media profiles, in addition to his firefighting work, Mr Comperatore was a project and tooling engineer at a plastics manufacturers.
Mr Comperatore was shot dead by Thomas Matthew Crooks during Donald Trump’s assassination attempt on Saturday.
The father-of-two dove to protect his family as bullets were fired.
Mr Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said on Facebook: “The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most.
“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.”
A GoFundMe for his family has also been created on behalf of Comperatore’s daughter, Allyson.
Two other adult men were wounded at the rally and were being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The wounded men have been idenitified by Pennsylvania State Police as Mr David Dutch, 57, and Mr James Copenhaver, 74.
A hospital spokesperson said both were in critical but stable condition.
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Trump posted to his social media platform Truth Social after the shooting to share more about the moment he knew he was shot.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote hours after the shooting.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
