UPDATE Former fire chief killed at Trump rally in Pa. 'died a hero': Shapiro

Jul. 15—BUTLER — Corey Comperatore died Saturday in the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, having thrown himself onto his family to protect them as gunshots were fired at a political rally for the presumptive Republican nominee, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

The governor ordered that American and Pennsylvania state flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Comperatore. Flags are to remain at half-staff until sunset following Comperatore's interment.

Shapiro addressed media in Butler County on Sunday afternoon, calling for prayers for Trump in his recovery and also for the family of Comperatore, 50, a former Butler Township fire chief, as "they will have an empty seat at the dinner table for the rest of their lives."

Shapiro said he spoke with Comperatore's wife and two daughters, briefly describing how Comperatore sacrificed himself to protect his family.

"I asked Corey's wife if it would be OK for me to share that we spoke. She said yes," Shapiro said. "She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero. That Corey dove on his family to protect them (Saturday) night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing."

According to the governor, the Comperatores described Corey as a "girl dad," a firefighter, someone who went to church each Sunday, and someone with a deep love of family and of his community. Shapiro said Comperatore was an avid supporter of Trump and was excited to see the former president visit Butler County for a campaign rally.

"(Saturday) night was shocking for this community, for this commonwealth and, I know, for this country," Shapiro said. "Political disagreements can never, ever be addressed through violence. Disagreements can be OK but we need a peaceful political process to settle those differences."

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, was identified by the FBI as the shooter. According to law enforcement, Crooks fired at the former president, striking him in his right ear.

Crooks was struck and killed by gunfire returned from Secret Service agents. Two other rally attendees from Pennsylvania were injured. State police identified them as David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township. Their respective conditions were upgraded to stable from critical, according to Col. Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner.

An investigation continues into the shooting including how Crooks managed to gain an elevated vantage point atop a building within short range of the former president.

A joint statement from Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee late Saturday said that Trump was "doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action."

The statement added that Trump would, as planned, attend the Republican National Convention this week at which he will formally be named the party's nominee for president.

Trump himself posted an update to his Truth Social account Sunday morning: "Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers ... as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. 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.

"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on three separate statements posted to Facebook by Comperatore's wife, Helen; daughter, Allyson; and sister, Dawn Comperatore Shafer.

According to the news outlet, Comperatore's daughter wrote that he "shielded my body from the bullet that came at us. He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us."

"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," his sister, Dawn, wrote. "Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds. Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality."

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign coordinated to support the Comperatore family raised nearly $270,000 by early Sunday afternoon.

Shapiro spoke Sunday with Paris, the state police commissioner, at his side. He declined to comment when asked specifically about the ongoing investigation, deferring questions to law enforcement.

He reiterated the need for peaceful political processes to bring change in the U.S. and for everyone including all political leaders to "speak and act with moral clarity," lower the temperature of the political climate and to rise above hateful rhetoric.

"Remember that we may be Democrats and Republicans but above all else we are Americans, and if you look at the story of this great nation over the last 248 years, a nation that was born right here in Pennsylvania, it's been ordinary Americans at every step of the way rising up, demanding more, seeking justice, advocating for change, doing so peacefully," Shapiro said.

"Those who advocated for such change peacefully, they're the ones who brought change about," Shapiro said.