On July 13, as former U.S. President Donald Trump was giving a rousing speech at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman took aim and pulled the trigger, firing multiple shots.
In the midst of the chaos and carnage, a father desperately shielded his daughter and his wife. It would be his final act of love.
A Father Sacrifices Himself for the Love of His Family
Buffalo Twp Volunteer Fire Company honors one of their own – Corey Compertore – who was shot and killed at the Trump rally.
Facebook.com/BuffaloTwpFireGunBash
It was approximately 6:11 pm when the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks perched on a rooftop, let off a barrage of bullets.
As the pop, pop, pop of several rounds of gunfire echoed across the grounds thousands of people scrambled to take cover.
Included in the crowd were parents Corey and Helen Comperatore and their two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee.
What had started out as a fun family outing quickly turned into a horrifying nightmare.
Seated on the bleachers near the podium, Comperatore, 50, a volunteer firefighter and engineer at JSP International, was one of the first to react.
Recognizing the danger, he dove onto his family, acting as a human shield.
Tragically, he died trying to protect them. But because of his brave actions, his family survived unharmed.
According to video footage, a bullet grazed Trump’s right ear. Forty-three seconds after the first shots were fired, Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks.
In addition to Comperatore, two people were critically injured in the incident, according to Pennsylvania State Police. They remain in hospital.
Daughter of Victim Pens Heartbreaking Post on Social Media
In the aftermath of his death, his 20-year-old daughter, Allyson, penned a heartwrenching letter paying tribute to her heroic father. It has garnered widespread attention, circulating across numerous social media channels.
“Yesterday time stopped. And when it started again my family and I started living a real-life nightmare.”
Allyson Comperatore via Facebook
“I know the media will cover this event. And I’m going to try my best to stay away from looking at everything, especially because I’ve already seen and lived through it in real time,” she continued. “But I want everyone to know what the media will not cover, and will not say about him.”
Allyson then shared that her dad “was the best dad a girl could ever ask for.” Always there for his daughters, neither she nor her sister ever lacked for anything. He was friendly, outgoing, and loved his community and talking to people. He went to church every Sunday and looked after his church and its members like family.
But more than anything, Comperatore was a family man. So much so, he gave up his life to save theirs without hesitation.
“The media will not tell you that he died a real-life super hero. They are not going to tell you how quickly he threw my mom and I to the ground. They are not going to tell you that he shielded my body from the bullet that came for us.”
“He loved his family,” Allyson continued. “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you.”
“There are a lot of children out there that say their dad is their hero, but my dad really is mine. I don’t think I would be here today without him.”
Allyson ended the post with these final words, “Dad, I love you so much that there aren’t enough words to express how deep that love goes. I know you’ll give heaven some hell. I know that God is proud of the man that came to His gates yesterday.”
Thousands of Strangers Rally To Support Daughter of Shooting Victim
Donate to Support Allyson After Tragic Loss, organized by Jason Bubb
A GoFundMe to support Allyson and the Comperatore family was set up on Sunday by family friend and local business owner, Jason Bubb.
“Saturday night, our friend and family, Allyson, lost her father due to a senseless, tragic act at the Trump Rally in Butler,” Bubb wrote on the fundraiser. “Allyson has been an athlete with us since the beginning. She’s a huge part of our community. If you’re able to support her and her family during this time, we will have a spot for donations at the gym. Additionally, please take the time to sign the cards at the desk.”
There’s been an outpouring of support and as of Monday afternoon, it has raised nearly $985,000, skyrocketing far above the goal of $7,000.
Additionally, A GoFundMe campaign for the victims’ families, authorized by Trump, has currently raised more than $4 million — more than quadrupling its initial goal of $1 million. Upwards of 55,000 donations have poured in, including $50,000 from singer Kid Rock.
President Joe Biden also extended his condolences to Comperatore’s family in a speech Saturday afternoon.
“He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired,” Biden said. “He lost his life. God loved him.”
There’s Nothing More Powerful Than The Love of Family
Corey Comperatore died a hero. But he wasn’t just a hero in death, he was one in life as well.
Allyson’s heartfelt tribute not only highlights the extraordinary lengths to which a father will go to protect his family but it also honors the incredible dad and person he was. The self-proclaimed “girl dad” was always there for whoever needed him. But most especially, his daughters.
And when it came right down to it, Comperatore died the way he lived: as a devoted father who would do ANYTHING, including sacrificing himself, for the ones he loved.
Because when it comes to the love of a daddy for his daughter? There is nothing more powerful on earth.
You can donate to Allyson’s GoFundMe HERE.
