Donald Trump To Attend Funeral Of Victim Killed In Rally Shooting

During an attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump over the weekend, one rallygoer, who was later identified as local firefighter Corey Comperatore, passed away.

Several gunshots rang out moments after Trump took the stage at the Pennsylvania rally, leading to Secret Service agents to swarm the 78-year-old to shield him.

After learning of the passing of Corey Comperatore, who was supporting Donald Trump at the rally, the former president will attend his funeral.

According to The New York Post, former President Trump will attend the funeral of the firefighter who was killed during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday.

A source close to the former president was asked if he would be attending the funeral of the father of two, just a week after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt. His response? "Of course he is.”

The widow of the volunteer firefighter, Helen Comperatore, shared that Trump called her three days after the shooting. Corey passed away while trying to protect his family.

"He was very kind and said he would continue to call me in the days and weeks ahead," the widow said, per Fox News, of the former president. "I told him the same thing I told everyone else. He left this world a hero and God welcomed him in. He did not die in vain that day."

According to the Associated Press, a former local fire chief broke his silence on the passing of Corey, stating that he "died a hero."

“His wife shared with me that he dove on his family to protect them,” Shapiro said.

Shortly after the shooting, Donald Trump released a statement, sending his prayers to the family of the victim, who was not identified at the time. "I want to thank The United States Secret Service and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," the multi-billionaire said.

"Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed," he added.

As questions and concerns begin to arise surrounding how Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman, was able to get so close to the former president, the Butler, Pennsylvania Town Commissioner Edward R. Natali is speaking out, claiming that the local police department was not responsible for securing the building Crooks shot from.

“There were seven officers all assigned to traffic detail. Period,” Natali wrote on Facebook, per Fox News. “The BTPD was NOT responsible for securing AGR or any other location. Anyone who says so, reports on it, implies it, etc...is uninformed, lying, or covering their own backsides. I trust I am being loud and clear.”

“As Sheriff Slupe stated, the BTPD officers in the general vicinity left their traffic detail to respond to the report of a suspicious person," he continued. "With reports of the suspect on the roof, a first officer being assisted by a second officer was pulling himself up to see on the roof. The suspect turned his firearm on the first officer, who as Sheriff Slupe stated, was not in position to wield his weapon to defend himself."

"He fell to safety and was injured in the process," Natali added. "The fact of the matter is the encounter with the officer most likely forced the shooter to hurry his shots."

“It is completely disgusting to see finger pointing has become the priority, when we had four people shot, with one of the four fatally wounded,” he continued in his social media post. “I am sure it is comfort to all family members, including President Trump’s family, that it is more important to affix the blame, rather than the problem. The men and women who serve in the BTPD are dedicated to their jobs, the wellbeing of their fellow citizens, and they love their community.”

Natali's comments come after Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas admitted "A direct line of sight like that to the former president should not [have] occur[ed]."

"That is precisely why President Biden directed that an independent review of the incident occur," Mayorkas told George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America." That will be done in close coordination with the FBI, which is conducting a separate criminal investigation, the importance of which cannot be overstated."