Heroic firefighter dies shielding his family in Trump assassination attempt

"I asked Corey’s wife if it would be okay for me to share that we spoke. She said ‘yes.’ She also asked that I share with all of you that Corey died a hero," Pennsylvania Governor Democrat Josh Shapiro said on Sunday. The 50-year-old Corey Comperatore was a victim of a campaign rally shooting and a head of the local volunteer fire department.

"We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night: Corey Comperatore. Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family," said Shapiro during a press conference.

"Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing," he added.

The Democratic politician, who is mentioned among potential successors to President Biden, condemned the Saturday attack and called on everyone to abandon political violence.

The attack on Donald Trump occurred around 6 PM Eastern Time. Standing at the podium during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot in the ear. The former US president fell to the ground, holding his bloody ear. Secret Service agents stepped in moments later.

The shooter, whom the FBI identified as 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident Thomas Matthew Crooks, died at the scene. Secret Service representatives reported that a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle, a common tool in mass shootings in the United States, was found next to the man's body.

Aside from the assailant, one rally attendee was killed, and two others were seriously injured.