Updated Jul 19, 2024, 08:34 IST
Donald Trump brought onto the stage on Thursday during his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention the jacket and helmet of slain former firefighter Cory Comperatore, who was fatally shot by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks at a Republican rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president was grazed by a bullet in his ear.
Corey Comperatore was a former firefighter who was killed at a Trump rally in Butler. Donald Trump brought his jacket and helmet to the keynote speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention on Thursday. Comperatore was shot and killed by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with a bullet that missed Trump, grazing his ear.
Republican candidate Comperatore, 78, was a former Buffalo County Fire Chief. Crooks, 20, shot and killed Comperatore as he took his last breath. Comperatore said “Get down!” in his final moments to protect his family from the gunfire.
The New York Post was informed by sources ahead of Trump’s acceptance speech of a “revelation” revealing the former president didn’t have much backstage access, and since then, Trump has appeared in public with a bandage over his right ear.
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Mr Corley’s widow, Helen Comperatore, said her husband showed bravery in his final moments, and in remarks last week, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called Mr Comperatore a “hero”.
Helen Comperatore said President Biden contacted her after the incident but “didn’t want to talk about it.”
“I did not speak to Mr. Biden,” she said. “My husband is a staunch Republican and would not have wanted him to speak to me. I bear no ill will towards Joe Biden,” she added. “I’m not a political person. I support Trump and I will vote for him, but I bear no ill will towards Mr. Biden.”
It was a touching moment during the convention when President Trump brought Comperatore’s helmet and jacket onto the stage, honoring the fallen firefighter’s bravery and sacrifice.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris called Comperatore a “hero” in a statement last week.
