The family of Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter tragically killed at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, is urging the public to avoid falling victim to online donation scams in his name.
Corey was shot by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks while trying to protect his wife and daughter during an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Dawn Comperatore Schafer, Corey’s sister, has made a heartfelt plea on Facebook, emphasizing that the family is not looking for donations. Instead, she encourages supporters to contribute to their local fire departments in Corey’s memory.
In her statement to the Associated Press (AP), Dawn expressed concern over people taking advantage of the situation, saying, “Please don’t fall for it,” and highlighting how disheartening it is to see good-hearted individuals being misled.
She pointed out at least two fraudulent Facebook accounts created under Corey’s name, soliciting donations for funeral costs.
Sadly, scams related to recent tragedies are on the rise, often requesting funds for funerals or healthcare. Similar warnings were issued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during the fundraising efforts for the families of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.
Fundraising platform GoFundMe has established a trust and safety team to oversee campaigns and prevent misuse. Laurie Styron from CharityWatch highlighted that some scammers are very skilled at exploiting tragic events for profit.
Corey Comperatore, 50, leaves behind his wife, Helen, and two daughters. His funeral in Cabot, Pennsylvania, was attended by many who honored his memory with a procession featuring a firetruck and bagpipes.
Following the funeral, Dawn reflected on the overwhelming grief, stating, “We’re trying to get out of the noise.” As for the investigation into the shooting, the FBI confirmed plans to interview Trump and is working to uncover Crooks’ motive by examining his electronic devices and home.
Dawn mentioned that they are closely following the hearings regarding security lapses at the rally, but emphasized that they wished to keep their focus away from the legal proceedings.