Trump rally shooting victim was former fire chief who 'dove on his family to protect them'

The person who died in a shooting at former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, according to his family's posting on Facebook.

"The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most," the victim's sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said in the post on Sunday.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday also identified Comperatore as the man who was killed at the rally for the presumptive Republican nominee in Butler, Pa.

Comperatore was a former fire chief from the area who loved his family, Shapiro said.

"Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night," the governor said.

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore "a stand-up guy" and "a true brother of the fire service."

He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he'd served for more than 20 years.

"Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out," Reamer said of Comperatore, who's survived by his wife and two daughters. "He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. He was a really good guy."

U.S. President Joe Biden gave televised remarks following the assassination attempt. He said he's grateful Trump is safe and described what happened as "sick."

WATCH | Attempted assassination contrary to U.S. values, Biden says: 

Biden says Trump rally attack 'contrary to everything we stand for as a nation'

5 months ago

Duration 3:17

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday called for unity and expressed his condolences to the family of the attendee killed in a shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, which the FBI says it's investigating as an assassination attempt. Biden said he spoke briefly with Trump on Saturday night following the shooting and that he's 'sincerely grateful he's doing well and recovering.'

Trump was shot in his right ear while speaking at the rally and was immediately shielded by Secret Service agents. Moments later, he got up, pumped his fist in the air and was whisked away to safety.

A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman — identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa. — was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday identified the two people wounded in the shooting, both of whom were listed in stable condition in hospital. They are 57-year-old David Dutch of New Kensington, Pa., and 74-year-old James Copenhaver of Moon Township, Pa.