Corey Comperatore was a former fireman who was killed in Trump’s Butler rally. Donald Trump brought his jacket and helmet to the 2024 Republican National Convention on Thursday for his keynote. At a demonstration in Butler, Pennsylvania, Comperatore was fatally shot by shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. A bullet during the occasion narrowly missed hitting Trump’s ear.
Comperatore, a 78-year-old Republican contender, was the former head of the Buffalo Township Fire Department. Crooks, 20, shot him dead at the first sign of life. Comperatore said, “Get down!” in his final moments to shield his family from the gunfire.
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The New YorkPost was notified by a source before to Trump’s acceptance speech about a “reveal” that would clarify the previous president’s limited backstage access. Since then, Trump has been in public while sporting a bandage over his right ear.
Corey’s widow, Helen Comperatore, related how her husband showed courage in his last moments. In remarks made last week, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Comperatore as a “hero”.
Helen Comperatore said President Biden reached out to her after the incident but that she ‘didn’t want to talk to him.’
“I didn’t talk to Biden,” she said. “My husband was a devout Republican, and he would not have wanted me to talk to him. I don’t have any ill-will towards Joe Biden,” she added. “I’m not one of those people that gets involved in politics. I support Trump, that’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill-will towards Biden.”
Trump’s act of bringing Comperatore’s helmet and jacket on stage was a poignant moment during the convention, honoring the fallen firefighter’s bravery and sacrifice.
In statements last week, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called Comperatore a “hero.”