Hundreds gather to remember former fire chief Corey Comperatore, killed at Trump rally

FREEPORT, Pa. (WTOV) — Hundreds of people gathered in a banquet hall to honor Corey Comperatore, who was killed at former President Donald Trump’s rally.

Mourners filled Laube Hall in Freeport, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.

The public viewing, divided into two two-hour blocks, was the second of two public events honoring and recognizing Comperatore’s life. Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil for him at an auto race track on Wednesday.

Before the funeral, community members, first responders, friends and family participated in a procession into the hall.

Hundreds of people came to the wake to honor and remember the 50-year-old father of two girls.

According to officials, Comperatore spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire at Saturday’s campaign rally in Butler.

The parking lot in front of the building was filled with fire and police cars. Snipers were stationed on the roof of the venue and on the surrounding buildings while dozens of people lined up to get in.

Comperatore was a longtime member of the Buffalo Township Fire Department and served as chief.

Among the mourners were firefighters in parade uniforms.

He was born in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania and graduated from Freeport Area High School in 1992.

According to his obituary, Comperatore worked as a project and tool engineer, was an Army reservist, and after his time as chief, worked for many years as a volunteer firefighter.

The private funeral for Comperatore will take place on Friday.

According to investigators, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt. His ear was grazed by a bullet.

Trump attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.

Editor’s note: The National Desk and Associated Press contributed to this report.