Governor Josh Shapiro called for flags to fly at half mast to honor Corey Comperatore, 50, who was killed Saturday protecting his wife and daughters from the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally.
From the announcement:
Today, in accordance with the United States flag code, Governor Josh Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff immediately today, Sunday, July 14, 2024, to recognize the tragedy that occurred at a rally for former President Trump in Butler County last evening and in honor of Corey Comperatore, a Butler County husband and father who was killed while attending the event. The Governor also extends the prayers of all Pennsylvanians to the two Pennsylvanians who remain in critical condition and their families.
The flags shall be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been announced.
The Philadelphia Inquirer said that Shapiro met with Comperatore’s family as well as the family of another victim who was in critical condition following the shooting.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, PA, was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents after he fired several shots, the Inquirer said. Comperatore was reportedly an avid Trump supporter.
“Corey was a girl dad, Corey was a firefighter, Corey went to church every Sunday, Corey loved his community and most especially he loved his family,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro also called for leaders to “rise above the hateful rhetoric” during the press conference.
”This is a moment where all leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity where all leaders need to take down the temperature and rise above the hateful rhetoric that exists and search for a better, brighter future for this nation,” Shapiro said. ”We need to learn from our history in this commonwealth and this country and we need to bring our better angels forward and carry that forward in this political season.”
You can watch a video of his remarks on Sunday below:
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