Funds raised for Corey Comperatore family, Trump rally shooting victims top $6 million
Former president Donald Trump said supporters had raised more $6 million for the families of the victims in the deadly shooting at Pennsylvania rally at the final night of the Republican National Convention.
In his first speech since the assassination attempt, the GOP nominee said Florida attorney Dan Newlin gave a $1 million check to support the victims.
The Saturday shooting that grazed Trump's right ear also killed former fire chief Corey Comperatore and critically injured two other spectators.
"I told them, I said, well, I'm going to be sending you a lot of money, but it can't compensate. They all said the same thing: 'You're right, sir, we appreciate so much what you're doing, but nothing can take the place of Corey,'" Trump said.
Trump informed the the crowd that the two other victims, 74-year-old James Copenhaver and 57-year-old David Dutch, have been recovering and are "going to be okay."
Trump rally shooting fundraiser: Funds raised for Corey Comperatore family, Trump rally shooting victims over $6 million
Trump kisses Corey's helmet on stage
The former president then held a moment of silence for the Pennsylvania man as his firefighter uniform appeared on stage alongside him. Trump then proceeded to kiss Comperatore's helmet to honor him.
"Corey, unfortunately, we have to use the past tense. He was incredible. He was a highly respected former fire chief, respected by everybody," Trump said. "He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets, he went right over the top of them and was hit. What a fine man he was."
The GoFundMe for those "wounded or killed" from the shooting says it was "President Trump authorized" is organized by Meredith O'Rourke, who is also Trump's top finance person.
The GoFundMe's initial goal was to raise $1 million, but it has far surpassed that goal, with more than 50,000 donors contributing more than $4 million in the first 48 hours after the shooting.
Comperatore had two daughters
The gunman, identified Sunday by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by law enforcement officials moments after he opened fire.
Comperatore, from Sarver, Pennsylvania, had two daughters and was an avid Trump supporter.
"Yesterday time stopped," Allyson Comperatore, his daughter, said on Facebook. "And when it started again my family and I started living a real-life nightmare."
The two others seriously injured in the shooting were said to be stable condition a day after the shooting and Trump said Thursday they were continuing to progress in their recovery.