Corey Comperatore identified as shooting victim; Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks out

Speaking to reporters in Butler County on Sunday afternoon, Gov. Josh Shapiro called for a cooling of political rhetoric and paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, who was killed Saturday in a shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump.

The governor declined to answer specific questions about the shooting and security at the Butler Farm Show rally, saying law enforcement would provide updates.

Shapiro said he called for flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Comperatore, 50, who died defending his wife and daughters after shots were fired at Trump.

“Corey was the best of us. May his memory be a blessing,” Shapiro said.

Before the news conference, Shapiro met with Comperatore’s family, as well as the family of one of the victims who was in critical condition after the shooting. During the shooting, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, Comperatore was killed, and two spectators were seriously wounded by shots that the Secret Service said were fired from a raised platform outside the rally. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents after firing multiple shots.

Comperatore, Shapiro said, was an avid Trump fan and was looking forward to attending the rally.

“Corey was a father of a little girl, Corey was a firefighter, Corey went to church every Sunday, Corey loved his community and most of all, he loved his family,” Shapiro said.

The governor, who campaigned in 2022 on a promise of bipartisan support and has often touted his role as the only Democratic governor serving in a state with a divided legislature, delivered an impassioned plea for civility in politics.

“This is a moment where all leaders have an obligation to speak and act with moral clarity, all leaders must lower the temperature and rise above the current hateful rhetoric to seek a better, brighter future for this nation,” Shapiro said.

He referred to America’s founding and the nation’s long history of peaceful passion and political action.

“We need to learn from the history of our community and our country, and we need to bring our better people to the forefront and bring that to the political stage this season,” Shapiro said.