Man killed at Trump rally 'died a hero,' Pennsylvania governor says

Corey Comperatore, 50, was a firefighter and father of two daughters.

July 18, 2024, 1:05 PM

The man killed at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday has been identified.

Corey Comperatore, 50, was a firefighter and a father of two daughters, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday. He was from Sarver, Pennsylvania.

Comperatore "died a hero" when he "dove on his family" to protect them from the gunfire during the rally, his wife said, according to Shapiro.

Corey Comperatore is seen in this undated image shared by his family.
Facebook

"Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community," Shapiro said.

"Comperatore was our beloved father and husband, and a friend to so many throughout the Butler region," Comperatore’s family said in a statement Thursday. "He was a local leader and veteran, a former fire chief, and a committed Christian who found peace and joy through our church."

"Loving man, down to earth, family first kind of guy. Church-going man," said Craig Cirrincione, who worked at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company with Comperatore.

"Loved his family. Do anything for anyone. I mean, volunteered here for years," Cirrincione told ABC News.

Cirrincione said he wasn't surprised Comperatore sacrificed himself to save his family, adding, "It wouldn't even surprise me for a complete stranger."

Trump supporters are seen laying in the stands after guns were fired at Republican candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024.
Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images

Two other people were critically wounded in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, authorities said.

Pennsylvania State Police identified the two injured victims as 57-year-old David Dutch from New Kensington and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township.

Dutch was shot in the chest and liver and was no longer in a medically induced coma as of Monday, according to the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania.

David Dutch is one of the men injured at the Trump rally in Butler, Pa, July 13, 2024.
Dutch Family

Dutch is a former Marine who serves as commandant of his Marine Corps League detachment, the organization said.

Dutch was in serious but stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon, his family said in a statement released by Allegheny Health Network.

"David and our entire family are especially grateful to all the first responders and medical professionals who saved his life, including the Life Flight and trauma surgical teams," the family said. "As we focus on David's recovery, we also offer our deepest condolences and prayers for the other victims of this tragic event and their families."

Copenhaver was in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon, according to his family.

"Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care," the family said in a statement. "Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all."

James Copenhaver is one of the men injured at the Trump rally in Butler, Pa, July 13, 2024.
Courtesy Copenhaver Family

Trump expressed condolences for the victims and their families in a post on TruthSocial.

"We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed," he wrote Sunday.

In a briefing Sunday, President Joe Biden extended his "deepest condolences" to Comperatore's family.

"He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired, and he lost his life. God love him," Biden said.

ABC News' Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.

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