The bystander who died in the shooting of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania has been identified as Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter and father of two.
“Last night we lost a fellow Pennsylvanian, Corey Comperatore,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told reporters. “I just spoke to his wife and his two daughters.”
He said the victim was a churchgoing firefighter and avid Trump supporter who “loved his community and most especially… his family.”
Shapiro called Saturday's shooting, in which two other bystanders were injured, “shocking for this state and the country.”
The other victims have not yet been identified, although National Public Radio news affiliate WESA Pittsburgh hospital officials said both were local men and both remained in critical condition.
The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of nearby Bethel Park, was killed by a Secret Service sniper.
One of Comperatore's daughters, Allyson, described her father in a Facebook post as “the best father a girl could ask for,” someone always willing to help and quick to “befriend anyone.”
“The media won't tell you he died a real-life superhero,” he said.
“He threw my mom and me to the ground… (and) protected my body from the bullet that came towards us.”
Shapiro also described Comperatore as “a hero” who died protecting his family. He said state flags would be flown at half-staff in honor of the victim.
“Corey was a huge supporter of the former president,” Shapiro added, “and he was very excited to be there last night.”
TO GoFundMe The page created to raise money for the Comperatore family had received donations of nearly $330,000 as of 3:00 p.m.
