Savannah-based Nine Line Apparel produces shirt honoring man killed at Trump rally
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Following the death of a Pennsylvania man during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a Savannah apparel company is honoring his memory and helping his family with expense through the sale of custom shirts and hoodies.
Corey Comperatore, 50 ― a U.S. Army Reserve veteran, former Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department chief, and father of two daughters ― was killed in the shooting Saturday while shielding his family from gunfire. Nine Line Apparel is a veteran-owned company that sells patriotic-themed apparel that is often worn by military and first responder communities.
Nine Line's owner, Tyler Merritt, reached out to Comperatore's family after pictures of him wearing a Nine Line t-shirt surfaced, he said. The family had been longtime customers, and Merritt wanted to support and honor Comperatore and his family by creating apparel in his honor.
"Part of our core culture is to give back to the community that we serve and give back to similar communities," Merritt said. "First responders, military, veterans, and supporting people in Savannah and around the country, if there's something we can do to help provide relief to a horrible situation."
Trump assassination attempt: See our special digital Savannah Morning News edition
The shirt echoes other Nine Line clothing, with the company's logo in the front and a larger image on the back ― in this case, a quote from Ephesians 6:11. Merritt said they chose that because the first shots rang out at 6:11 p.m., and the quote just happened to be a perfect fit for the situation.
"It talks about putting on the armor of God to protect the ones you love against evil," Merritt said. "There's been an outpouring of support, and I think it's because people see themselves in this individual. If gunshots rang out at an assembly, would I break for cover for myself or have that instinct to protect my loved ones and jump-on-them mentality? I would hope, as a father, I would do what he did."
The shirts will be available next week. They will go into production and then never be produced again. The profits for the shirt go directly to the families of the victims, but Nine Line also encourages people to donate directly to the family's GoFundMe.
"Now is the time to recognize and honor our everyday heroes and the freedoms they defend ― namely our First Amendment rights to assemble and express beliefs freely," says a statement on the landing page for the merchandise. "Corey's sacrifice needs to be a rally cry to those ideals and a call for us to set aside our differences and unite as Americans. Corey’s legacy should be a catalyst for unity and solidarity."
Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah apparel company honors man killed in Trump assassination attempt
