Spectator who died at Trump rally was a firefighter shielding his family from gunfire

PITTSBURGH (WTAE) – In the wake of Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, loved ones are remembering Corey Comperatore, a father and volunteer firefighter killed during Saturday’s rally.

He shielded his family during the gunfire, a heroic act that others said was fitting for Comperatore’s character.

“It wouldn’t even surprise me if it was a complete stranger if he did the same exact thing for,” said Craig Cirrincione, the second lieutenant of the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department in Butler County.

Comperatore was a father, husband, and a volunteer firefighter who everyone described as a truly good man.

“He was a real good guy. He really was. You hear stories all the time that it’s always the good ones that end up getting taken out, and unfortunately, that’s what happened,” said neighbor Matthew Achilles.

Achilles also remembers Comperatore as being one of the first people to offer help when Achilles got really sick a few years ago.

“He helped us out when I was real sick a couple years ago in the hospital and almost died. Corey was one of the first people to message me and say, ‘Hey, how can I help you?’” Achilles recalled.

Comperatore just hit his 30-year mark with the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department. He even served as captain for the department for a few years.

“He was a good man. He’d take his shirt off his back for anyone,” Cirrincione said.

Richard Hill, the Buffalo Township manager, said in a statement:

“The Buffalo Township Board of Supervisors is deeply saddened by the loss of Corey Comperatore. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Comperatore family, and all those affected by Saturday’s violence. Corey was a dedicated husband, father, friend, and volunteer to the community, and will be sorely missed.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family. As of Monday morning, it has reached over $940,000.