(Washington) The assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday left one person dead: Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father of two who had just turned 50.
“We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night, Corey Comperatore. I just spoke with his wife and two children,” state Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed at a news conference Sunday.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, had already posted a tribute on her Facebook account.
“Mr. Trump’s rally took my brother’s life,” she wrote, “hatred towards one man took the life of the one we loved most.”
According to Dawn Comperatore Schafer, her brother died “protecting his daughters.”
“His wife and daughters have just experienced the unthinkable, the unimaginable,” she wrote.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said Corey Comperatore “died a hero.”
PHOTO SUE OGROCKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
“He dove in to protect his family last night at that rally. He was the best in all of us, may his memory be a blessing,” the Democratic congressman said, announcing that flags will be lowered to half-staff across the state in honor of the victim.
Two other spectators were also seriously injured by the gunman, who was shot dead, authorities said.
On Saturday, a witness told NBC News that he saw a man hit in the head and die instantly, alongside his family.
“We heard several shots, the man not far from me was hit in the head, he died instantly and fell at the foot of the stands,” said Joseph, whose last name was not given.
“Corey was a huge supporter of former President” Donald Trump, and he was “very happy to be with him last night,” the Pennsylvania governor said.
When asked on Friday by an account he followed on the social network X, “What do you have planned for this weekend?”, Corey Comperatore responded: “Trump rally! Butler, Pennsylvania.”
This is his last message on the social network.
A fundraising page on the Gofundme website was set up after Mr Comperatore’s death to support the victim’s family. It had raised more than $180,000 as of 1:30 p.m. Sunday.