The shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sent tremors throughout the United States. Dread descended in Butler, Pennsylvania , where the ex-president was rallying his followers. A gunman opened fire, causing chaos, murdering one attendee and injuring another.
The victim was IDed as Corey Comperatore. He's a retired fire chief from Buffalo Township. Comperatore was sitting behind the former president shot and killed by a gunman, 20-year-old Crooks, reports the Mirror US .
His last photo shows him celebrating his 50th birthday with his family. A doctor on the scene tried to save Comperatore, giving him CPR right in the bleachers where he fell, as Trump's security team whisked him off. The former president received a shot to the 'upper part' of his ear and was left with a trail of blood running down his face.
Members of the Secret Service quickly enveloped the scene and shielded the ex-president while nearby snipers retaliated against the assailant. Law enforcement officials are treating the incident at the rally as a deliberate attempt on the life of the expected Republican nominee.
The rally took a shocking turn when Trump was showing a border crossing statistics chart. A loud bang disrupted the event, leading Trump to instinctively lift his hand to his ear. It's still unclear what exactly happened, including whether Trump was hit by gunfire or injured during his security detail's swift action.
Family members have paid their respects to Comperatore, a well-respected community figure. His sister, Allyson Comperatore, posted on Facebook: "The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore.
"The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters. His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable. My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience. Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds. Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality."
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In the aftermath of the chaos, Trump was seen ducking for cover as Secret Service agents swarmed the stage amid screams from the crowd. The sound of what seemed like gunshots persisted even while agents were responding to Trump on the stage. As he was escorted away, Trump defiantly raised his clenched fist towards the crowd, sparking chants of "USA! " from his supporters. The police promptly cleared the fairgrounds once Trump was off the stage.
The Trump campaign reassured the public that the former president was "fine" following a distressing incident at his Butler rally, which was interrupted by what sounded like gunshots, according to a statement. "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act," said spokesman Steven Cheung. "He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
Two officials involved in the investigation, speaking under anonymity, informed The Associated Press that the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was fatally shot by US Secret Service agents. An AR-style rifle was recovered from the scene, according to an AP source. The captured footage depicted how snipers rapidly responded to the gunshot, successfully neutralizing the rooftop gunman.
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