New Bedford firefighters union reacts to firefighter death at Trump rally

The nation was shocked by images broadcast live from Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday as a gunman opened fire at a rally held by former President Donald J. Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee in the upcoming national election.

The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was “neutralized” by a Secret Service sniper, but not before wreaking havoc among the thousands of people who had gathered at the rally on a hot, humid Saturday night.

Trump and two rally attendees suffered gunshot wounds in the attack. Another man, 50-year-old former Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed.

Fox News Digital reports that the victim’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, called her out on her Facebook page to “harass a hero who was protecting his daughters.” Comperatore sacrificed his life to protect his wife and daughters from the gunman.

Billy Sylvia, president of New Bedford Firefighters Local 841, said Comperatore’s death was “truly sad” and the result of “senseless violence and hatred.” Sylvia said Comperatore “died a hero protecting his family.”

Sylvia said the “atmosphere of hatred and violence” is everywhere and “must stop”.

“Mental health is a serious problem in today’s world, but it is only part of the problem,” he said. “People need to regain patience and understanding.”

Jason Burns, a Fall River firefighter and vice president of the 8th District of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, called Comperatore’s death “terrible news.”

“There are many stories of heroism in our profession and of our firefighters,” Burns said. “Virtually nothing compares to what this man accomplished.”

Burns said the incident left him “heartbroken” but he was “filled with pride” knowing he “did everything he could to protect the people who meant the most to him.”

A GoFundMe campaign authorized by Trump to benefit the victims of Saturday’s shooting exceeded its $1 million goal just hours after it was launched.

“Being kind to each other helps a lot,” said Sylvia.