Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended former volunteer fire chief and Italian American Corey Comperatore, who was killed by an attempted assassin at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Comperatore was hit by one of the approximately eight rounds allegedly fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20. He used his body to shield his wife and daughter when he was hit above the ear, killing him. His actions earned the attention of Meloni, partly due to his Italian heritage.
“Corey Comperatore had just turned 50, he was a former fire chief, an Italian American of Calabrian origins,” she said in a post on X. “He died a hero, acting as a shield for his wife and daughter, standing between them and the bullets detonated by the attacker who fired during Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.”
“Corey sacrificed his life to save that of his loved ones, instinctively, without a moment’s thought,” Meloni continued. “A gesture of love and extreme altruism which can only be honored. To all his family members, I renew my deepest condolences.”
“Rest in peace, Corey,” she added in English.
Corey Comperatore aveva appena compiuto 50 anni, era un ex capo dei vigili del fuoco, un italoamericano di origini calabresi. È morto da eroe, facendo da scudo alla moglie e alla figlia, frapponendosi tra loro e i proiettili fatti esplodere dall’attentatore che ha sparato durante… pic.twitter.com/mdPr9MfVoE
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 15, 2024
A Trump ally, Meloni had expressed her condolences and solidarity with the former president shortly after his attempted assassination.
“In political debate, all over the world, there are limits that should never be crossed,” she wrote in a post on X. “It is a warning to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to restore dignity and honor to politics, against all forms of hatred and violence, and for the good of our democracies. Solidarity with Donald #Trump, his supporters and the injured, and my heartfelt condolences for the victim and his family.”
Nel dibattito politico, in tutto il mondo, ci sono limiti che non dovrebbero mai essere superati. È un monito per tutti, indipendentemente dallo schieramento politico, per ridare dignità e onore alla politica, contro ogni forma di odio e violenza, e per il bene delle nostre… pic.twitter.com/SjqXckkw3H
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 14, 2024
Comperatore was lauded around the country for his actions in his final moments. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) ordered flags in the state to be flown half-staff, while Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) spoke with his widow.
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“Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community,” Shapiro said. “I asked for his wife if it would be OK 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.”
A prayer was devoted to him at the Republican National Convention immediately after Trump and his pick for running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), were nominated.