BUTLER, Pa. (KDKA) — One man was killed and two others were seriously injured in a shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump Saturday night.
Gunshots rang out at the rally in Butler, and Trump was removed from the stage after a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.
One of the victims was identified as Corey Comperatore, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“Corey was the best of us,” Shapiro said at a news conference Sunday afternoon. “Corey died a hero. Corey threw himself into his family’s arms last night to protect them. Corey was a father to a daughter, Corey was a firefighter, Corey went to church every Sunday, Corey loved his community.”
According to the governor, Comperatore was shot while trying to protect his family from gunfire.
Gov. Shapiro said he was ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of Comperatore.
Two other spectators were seriously injured and rushed to hospital.
Thomas Matthew Crooks identified as shooter
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. The U.S. Secret Service said he was shot by a sniper.
Law enforcement told CBS News that Crooks opened fire with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and that the ATF is currently tracking the weapon.
They also said the gun Crooks used was purchased legally and registered to his father, Mathew Crooks.
It was also revealed Sunday that suspicious devices were found in Crooks’ vehicle. He had commercially available equipment that appeared capable of triggering the devices.
Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the rally, the agency said.
This is a developing story, stay with CBS Pittsburgh for the latest.
