The firefighter who was shot dead as he sheltered his family from bullets fired by Donald Trump's would-be assassin in Pennsylvania this past weekend was not even supposed to be sitting in the front row, a friend has revealed.
Corey Comperatore, 50, moved up to the row of seats closest to Trump's lectern just moments before 20-year-old gunmanThomas Matthew Crooksopened fire on the former president, according to the fireman's friend Scott Dockherty.
'Talk about a freak, freak accident. That he wasn't even supposed to be sitting there and he ends up losing his life,' Dockherty, the CEO of manufacturing company CID Associates, told reporters yesterday outside a vigil held for Comperatore in his hometown of Freeport, just outside Pittsburgh, PA.
The 50-year-old father-of-two had worked as a project and tooling engineer, was an Army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to his obituary.
He was standing with his family off to the left of the dais when the group were reportedly offered to move up to empty seats in the front row, according to the New York Post.
He died a hero, spending the final moments of his life shielding his wife and daughter from the barrage of bullets as Trump was struck in the ear amid scenes which rocked American democracy to the core on Saturday evening.
Comperatore's body was transported in a concierge of fire trucks adorned with black ribbons through Freeport ahead of his wake at Laube Hall on Thursday.
Trump meanwhile paid homage to the fallen firefighter during his address at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last night.
Comperatore's firefighting uniform was on display on the stage behind Trump, and the former president paused his speech to walk over and plant a kiss on the helmet of the slain hero.
The former fire chief for Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore, was the person killed in the crowd at the Trump rally in Butler, PA
Trump standing with the uniform of Corey Comperatore who was shot and killed when the gunman opened fire at the former president's rally in Butler, PA last Saturday
Donald Trump kisses the helmet of Corey Comperatore during his Republican National Convention speech. The uniform was on display on the stage as Trump gave his acceptance speech
Corey Comperatore's body was transported in a procession of fire trucks adorned with black ribbons through his hometown of Freeport, just outside Pittsburgh, PA, on Thursday
Republican candidate Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024
Trump declared during a speech at the RNC last night that the attempt on his life has made him 'even more determined'
'Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, unbelievable person everybody tells me,' Trump said in his remarks.
Crooks opened fire on the former president as he addressed a rally of supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday
'He was a highly respected former fire chief - respected by everybody,' Trump said.
The former president also said he had spoken with Comperatore's wife Helen, who reportedly said she and their two young daughters were 'devastated' by the firefighter's passing.
'He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He went right over the top of them and was hit,' Trump said.
'What a fine man he was.'
The family confirmed through a spokesperson that they allowed the Republican presidential nominee to display Comperatore's uniform at the convention.
'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for others. This is the spirit that forged America in her darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness that we need,' Trump said as he placed his hands on the uniform.
The former president announced during his convention speech that $6.3 million had been raised for the families of Comperatore and two other men who were critically wounded in the shooting.
Trump said he also spoke with those victims - David Dutch andJames Copenhaver.
Donald Trump is joined on stage by wife Melania and members of his family
Trump said the fire department and family sent the uniform to Milwaukee for his speech
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump is joined on stage by wife Melania, other relatives and Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance
Dan Beazley unloads a cross near a line of guests at a visitation for Corey Comperatore at Laube Hall, Thursday, July 18,2024, in Freeport, Pa
A memorial for Corey Comperatore is seen on a billboard at the Penn Theater in Butler, PA., Thursday, July 18, 2024
In Freeport last night, friends and neighbors of Comperatore lined the grass beside the country road along which his body was carried.
The Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department drove the vehicles somberly in formation to Laube Hall - only around 20 miles from where the Trump rally took place -where a private service will be held today.
Grieving wife Helen Comperatore said she received a call from Trump in the days after the devastating loss of her husband.
She was also offered a call from Joe Biden, but refused it.
Writing on Facebook after her call with Trump, she said: 'He was very kind and said he would continue to call me in the days and weeks ahead.
'I told him the same thing I told everyone else. He left this world a hero and God welcomed him in. He did not die in vain that day.'
'I don't talk to Biden,' she later told the New York Post. 'I didn't want to talk to him.
'My husband was a devout Republican and he would not have wanted me to talk to him.'
Helen said she and her husband, who were high school sweethearts, were on the verge of celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary when they headed to Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
'Me and the kids were all there as a family,' she said. 'He was just excited. It was going to be a nice day with the family.'
