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Fox News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Last words of 'hero' firefighter who died at Trump rally shooting revealed
The volunteer firefighter who died while shielding his family from the sniper who tried to kill former President Trump over the weekend at a rally in Pennsylvania said "get down!" as his final words, his wife has revealed. Helen Comperatore told the New York Post that she and her husband Corey were close to celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary when their family headed to the campaign event in Butler, outside of Pittsburgh, on Saturday. "He's my hero," Helen Comperatore said to the newspaper from her home in nearby Sarver, Pennsylvania. "He just said, 'get down!' That was the last thing he said." "Me and the kids were all there as a family," she added. "He was just excited. It was going to be a nice day with the family. TRUMP RALLY VICTIM COREY COMPERATORE DIED SHIELDING FAMILY AND 'WOULD'VE DONE IT AGAIN,' FRIEND SAYS Corey Comperatore, 50, was the former fire chief for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. The department now has a memorial set up outside its firehouse featuring Comperatore's uniform to honor who they described as a "brother, son, husband, father and friend." "He was a simple man, but he put his wife and kids first all the time. I did nothing here. I didn't lift a finger. He did everything," Helen Comperatore told the New York Post in the wake of the shooting, which injured Trump and critically injured two other rallygoers who are expected to survive. LIVE UPDATES: REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION Helen Comperatore also said President Biden tried to call her family following the incident but "I didn't want to talk to him. "I didn't talk to Biden," she said. "My husband was a devout Republican and he would not have wanted me to talk to him." "I don't have any ill-will towards Joe Biden," Helen Comperatore added. "I'm not one of those people that gets involved in politics. I support Trump, that's who I'm voting for but I don't have ill-will towards Biden." FAMILY MEMBERS SPEAK OUT FOLLOWING COREY COMPERATORE'S DEATH Helen Comperatore described the shooter at the rally, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, as a "despicable kid." On Sunday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Helen Comperatore. "Corey Comperatore was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community, and most especially Corey loves his family," he said at a news conference. "Corey was an avid supporter of the former president and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community." President Biden also said Sunday that he and first lady Jill Biden "extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired, and he lost his life. God love him," Biden said. Fox News' Michael Dorgan and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
Al Jazeera
04-07-2025
- Al Jazeera
‘Lucky to be alive': The 12-year-old shot by Israeli snipers in Jerusalem
Occupied East Jerusalem – A pizza box and a bullet hole. That was the only evidence left on al-Hardoub Street of the gruesome June 16 sniper attack on Uday Abu Juma', 21, and Iyas Abu Mufreh, 12, in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of at-Tur, after authorities swept the scene the following day. Just before midnight, cousins Uday and Iyas had gathered with family members outside their grandfather's home in at-Tur. The Abu Juma' extended family had come together to celebrate their grandmother's return from the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. A daughter in the family had also scored highly on the Palestinian national 'tawjihi' exams. Days before, Israeli authorities had placed roadblocks on the two main entrances into the neighbourhood, at the start of the 12-day conflict with Iran on June 13. But according to family members, that night, all was quiet in the neighbourhood. Iyas and Uday were sitting near a car, eating pizza, when suddenly, they and their family members were fired on. Of 10 shots fired, two struck Iyas and Uday, and blood spilled over the pizza. 'Everyone was in shock,' recalled Nisreen Abu Mufreh, Iyas's mother. 'We didn't know what was happening. Obviously, there weren't any threats towards the military [from our street].' Only when reviewing neighbours' security camera footage of the street did they later realise that two Israeli snipers, positioned about 500 metres (550 yards) away on a rooftop, had opened fire on the family gathering without warning. When the family tried to rush the two to the hospital, Israeli police stopped the ambulance, detaining Iyas's father, Raed. The police accused Iyas and Uday of throwing Molotov cocktails and launching fireworks during the family gathering, and claimed that Israeli forces had opened fire in self-defence. The boys were initially taken to Al Makassed Hospital in at-Tur. They were later transferred to Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem, West Jerusalem. At the hospital in at-Tur, the family was again stopped by the police. 'How could you shoot a kid like this?' a horrified Nisreen asked the police. The police responded that they didn't know who shot the two boys, and even tried to claim that the shooting was the result of an 'internal family dispute', according to the family. 'He may not walk again' The injuries to Iyas and Uday were catastrophic. The bullet that hit Iyas – who is lucky to be alive, doctors say – struck just centimetres from his heart, leaving a huge open wound on his left shoulder and causing significant nerve and artery damage. Uday was shot in the stomach, with the bullet coming out through his back and damaging his nerves, arteries and spine. Iyas's family is terrified that the boy's arm and hand will be permanently impaired, while Uday may not walk again. Doctors at the hospital told the families that Uday and Iyas had been struck by 'dumdum' bullets. These are designed to expand on impact to cause maximum damage, and are banned for use in war under international law. While East Jerusalem is not officially a war zone, it is under illegal Israeli occupation. 'What gives you the right to shoot a 12-year-old kid, sitting with his cousin, eating pizza? And to make it so that his cousin is not able to walk again in his life?' asked a distraught Amir Abu Mufreh, 21, outside Iyas's patient room. Amir has spent every day and night in the hospital with his little brother. Amir said his youngest brother was 'a good kid' and 'not a troublemaker', and recalled how Iyas would help him sell corn on the street. 'I am speechless. I don't know what to say any more.' The day after the attacks, Israeli police came to al-Hardoub Street and removed the bullets and bullet casings left behind at the scene, members of the local community said. They also took away broken glass from the car they were near, and cleaned away the blood left by the shootings. Only a single bullet hole on the car and the discarded pizza box remained. 'They wiped the crime scene clean,' remarked Nisreen. According to the family and their neighbours, police returned to the neighbourhood several times in the days that followed, surveying the situation. Curiously enough, they removed the concrete blocks placed at the neighbourhood's entrances. These roadblocks had forced locals to take long detours and walk on foot to reach the nearby Augusta Victoria Hospital, another facility that caters mainly to local Palestinians. 'They claimed the roadblocks were [installed] to control the neighbourhood, considering the whole war situation,' said Nisreen. 'So why remove them the day after [the shooting] and act like nothing happened? 'Their goal,' said Nisreen, 'is to make chaos and leave.' 'Al-Aqsa is under my full sovereignty, just like Tel Aviv' The shooting of Uday Abu Juma' and Iyas Abu Mufreh is one of the more violent cases among a number of crackdowns by Israeli authorities on East Jerusalem's Palestinian residents, during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June. At the start of the conflict, Israeli police put up roadblocks in several neighbourhoods and residents described a rise in the number of nightly raids in neighbourhoods such as At-Tur, Issawiyeh, Kafr Aqab and Wadi al-Joz. Mirroring police actions following the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel by Hamas, at least two residents in occupied East Jerusalem were arrested over social media posts during the 12-day conflict. Locals reported having their phones regularly searched by Israeli border police deployed to East Jerusalem, and two Palestinians were allegedly beaten for possessing content on their phones supportive of Iran's retaliatory rocket attacks on Israel, according to Rami Saleh, director of the Jerusalem branch of the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC). 'The aggressive approach of police and soldiers in these [neighbourhood] entrances is much, much heavier than usual,' said Saleh. As well as abruptly closing entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem for nearly everyone who did not reside there, the Israeli authorities forced most shopkeepers and street vendors to close their businesses in the Muslim and Christian Quarters, citing 'the security situation'. The Western Wall, a holy site for Jews, remained open. But for nearly a week, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Haram al-Sharif, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, were closed off to Christian and Muslim worshippers. These rules were relaxed slightly for a couple of days, allowing only a limited number to pray. But access to Haram al-Sharif was completely blocked again to worshippers following the US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities early on June 22, until after Israel's ceasefire with Iran. In response, dozens of Palestinian men gathered for Friday afternoon prayers outside the walls of the Old City on June 20. The closure of Haram Al-Sharif – an area containing the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and under the sole custodianship of the Jordanian-operated Islamic Waqf – is in direct contravention of the arrangement between Israel and Jordan, following a series of attempts by the Israeli authorities and political figures to infringe on the Waqf's sovereignty over the religiously and politically delicate site. As a senior source from the Waqf told Al Jazeera: 'The [Israeli] occupation closed Al-Aqsa Mosque to send a message to the Islamic world: 'Al-Aqsa is under my full sovereignty, just like Tel Aviv.'' Treated as a 'collective threat', not a 'legitimate civilian population' Alongside these restrictions and actions by the Israeli authorities in occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinian movement in the West Bank was also severely curtailed during the war with Iran, with most Palestinian crossings into Jerusalem closed or restricted, along with many checkpoints in the besieged West Bank. 'The intensified restrictions, raids, arrests and religious site closures are justified under a security pretext but, in practice, these are political tools used to suppress Palestinian presence in public space and silence legitimate expression,' said the Israeli NGOs Ir Amim and Bimkom in a shared statement, calling these policies 'unjustified collective punishment'. 'The Palestinian public in East Jerusalem is treated as a collective threat,' the statement continued, 'not as a legitimate civilian population that is an integral part of the city's fabric.' A spokesperson for the Israeli police did not respond to Al Jazeera's requests for comment regarding the shootings of Iyas Abu Mufreh and Uday Abu Juma', as well as questions regarding the purpose and nature of the East Jerusalem restrictions and policies by Israeli authorities during the war with Iran. With his likely paralysed cousin being treated on another floor of the hospital, Iyas Abu Mufreh remains in Hadassah Hospital, having already undergone a series of surgeries in dimming hopes that he will not be permanently impaired. He has struggled to eat, drink or sleep at the hospital, still traumatised by the shooting and wondering if he will ever be able to play pool – a passion of his – again, according to his family. 'I just want to go back home, to be able to play with my friends and to go back to school,' said Iyas from his hospital bed, surrounded by his family and friends. Screws were holding his arm in one piece as he nervously awaited his next surgery. 'How Israel deals with [Palestinians] is through all these measures and violence,' said Aviv Tatarsky, a researcher for Ir Amim, 'and [Israel] sees that no one is holding it accountable.'
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Police identify 20-year-old suspect in Idaho firefighter ambush
Police sources have identified 20-year-old Wess Roley as the suspect in the sniper attack on firefighters in Idaho, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News. Two firefighters were killed and a third injured on Sunday after a gunman shot at them as they arrived at a blaze at Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d' believe Roley deliberately lit the fire to lure first responders to the area.A police tactical team later "located a deceased male" - believed to be the shooter - close to where the attack took place. Authorities are yet to comment on a motive, or reveal how Roley died. "We do believe that the suspect started the fire," Norris told a late night news conference on Sunday."This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance."We did lose a Coeur d'Alene firefighter, and we did lose a firefighter from the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue."A third was "fighting for his life, but is in stable condition", he first report of a fire in the mountainside community was made around 13:21 PST (21:21 BST), which was followed 40 minutes later by reports firefighters were being shot at, Norris fire grew to 20 acres after it was first reported and continued to burn into Sunday night, Sheriff Bob Norris than 300 law enforcement officers from city, county, state and federal authorities to the shooting, including two helicopters with snipers on said Roley allegedly used a high-powered sporting rifle to fire rapidly at first responders, with officers initially unsure of the number of perpetrators an hours-long barrage of gunfire, the suspect was found using mobile phone data. It was unclear whether the suspect took his own life or had been hit by an officer, Norris said.
Times
30-06-2025
- Times
Two firefighters killed after sniper ambushes crew in Idaho
Two firefighters were killed in a sniper attack and a third was seriously injured after being ambushed while responding to a wildfire in Idaho. The firefighters came under fire on Sunday and it is suspected that the bushfire was started deliberately to lure them into a trap. The body of a man was found with a gun near by, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said as it lifted a 'shelter in place' order. Officials said they believed the man had been acting alone. It is believed that the fire was started deliberately C JONES/AP 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire,' Sheriff Robert Norris, of Kootenai County, said. 'This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.' A third firefighter was 'fighting for his life' after surgery and was in a stable condition, Norris added. Officials said that the fire department responded to the fire at about 1.20pm local time and firefighters reported coming under attack soon afterwards. More than 300 law enforcement officers were at the scene, including two helicopters with snipers on board. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, but it was not clear whether he was hit by police or killed himself. Norris said the sniper used a high-powered sporting rifle. Officers were initially unsure of the number of gunmen involved. Norris said officers were likely to find more guns at the scene on Monday, once the fire was extinguished. The Idaho governor, Brad Little, said on X: 'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook asking residents to avoid the city of Coeur d'Alene. The attack was unfolding in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area, a park on the edge of the city. Norris had said that officials were making plans to contain the shooting before moving to evacuate those trapped on the mountain. 'When we get that under control, when we have an opportunity to suppress that, then we will continue our removing of people who are on the mountain, who are on for a hike, or public safety personnel or people who live on the back side of the mountain.' Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, said the agency would be providing support and that it remained an 'active scene'. Pam Bondi, the attorney-general, shared a statement thanking the FBI. 'We are praying for all,' she said. The wildfire would not be extinguished until the snipers had been 'neutralised', Bill Deruyter, the deputy fire chief of Coeur d'Alene, said. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) said on X: 'While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families and law enforcement in your prayers.'
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
2 killed in sniper ambush as Idaho firefighters come under siege from rifle fire
In this photo provided by Mark Lathrop, a blaze burns in a community near Canfield Mountain where a sniper ambushed firefighters responding to the fire, just north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (Mark Lathrop via AP) Firefighters were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a 'heinous' assault. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30 p.m. and gunshots were reported about a half hour later. Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two people killed were fire personnel. He didn't know if anyone else was shot. 'We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are,' Norris told reporters at a 4:30 p.m. news conference. 'We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak.' People are still coming off the mountain, the sheriff said, so it 'would be safe to assume' that others were still up there. Gov. Brad Little said 'multiple' firefighters were attacked. Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken. As this… — Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) June 29, 2025 'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said on the social platform X. 'I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. 'I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they're not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender,' the sheriff said. An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 4 miles (6.5 km) north of downtown Coeur d'Alene. The fire was still active, Norris said. 'It's going to keep burning,' he said. 'Can't put any resources on it right now.' Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the outskirts of the northern Idaho city, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails. Christopher Weber, The Associated Press
