In July 2024, Butler County, Pennsylvania, experienced a shocking moment in U.S. political history when former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated at a rally. This once tranquil community, known for its unwavering support of Trump, has been left grappling with the aftermath of that fateful day. As Trump prepares to return to the scene of the shooting for another rally, residents are reflecting on the tragedy, security failures, and the healing process.
A Town Defined by Loyalty to Trump
Butler County has long been a Republican stronghold, with its streets and yards adorned with Trump signs and billboards that reflect the town’s political identity. In 2020, Trump won twice as many votes as Joe Biden here, just as he had defeated Hillary Clinton by a large margin in 2016. Butler County’s deep conservative roots stretch back 150 years, having only voted Democrat once in presidential elections.
However, 2024 has redefined Butler not as the home of American Jeeps, but as the site where an assassination attempt against Trump took place. On July 13, a bullet narrowly missed Trump, grazing his ear during a campaign rally. The rally was disrupted, lives were changed, and Butler County became a symbol of resilience as it now strives to heal.
The Day of the Shooting: A Community in Shock
Among those present that day was Jim Hulings, chairman of the Butler County Republican Party, who was standing just 30 feet away from Trump when the shots were fired. Hulings, who thought Trump had been killed, described the experience as “the saddest moment of my life.” Many in the community shared similar sentiments, feeling a deep sense of guilt that their town—one so staunchly pro-Trump—was the place where such a tragic event unfolded.
Jondavid Longo, the mayor of nearby Slippery Rock, was on stage just moments before the shots rang out. He instinctively shielded his pregnant wife during the chaos and now lives with the haunting memory of that day. Longo recounted the incident, expressing the difficulty the community faces in moving forward, especially as one individual, Corey Comperatore, lost his life heroically shielding his own family from the gunfire.
Security Failures Exposed
The investigation into the shooting revealed a series of alarming security lapses that allowed the gunman, Thomas Crooks, to carry out his attack. Crooks, a 20-year-old whose motives remain unclear, had flown a drone over the rally site undetected, as Secret Service equipment designed to prevent such surveillance had malfunctioned. Reports of his suspicious behavior, including using a rangefinder aimed at the stage, were not passed along to all Secret Service agents.
More troubling was that Crooks managed to climb onto the roof of a nearby building and fire eight shots before he was taken down by a Secret Service sniper. These security failures have been a source of anger and frustration for many residents, including Greg Smith, who witnessed the gunman on the roof and attempted to alert authorities. Smith’s quick thinking made him an unlikely hero, but his frustration with the lack of response remains palpable.
A Community’s Pain and Resilience
The emotional toll of the shooting has been heavy on Butler County, particularly for those like Helen Comperatore, who lost her husband, Corey, in the attack. Corey, a volunteer firefighter, died protecting his family, and his widow now struggles with the weight of his absence. “I think about it every day,” Helen said, her voice filled with grief. As she prepares to return to the rally, she holds onto the belief that Corey would have wanted her to continue supporting Trump.
The upcoming rally on Saturday night marks Trump’s return to Butler, and while some residents, like Greg Smith, choose not to attend due to lingering trauma, others like Helen and her daughters will be there. The community remains united in its support of the former president, determined to heal and move forward despite the tragedy that unfolded in their town.
For Butler County, the rally is not just a political event; it is a step in their journey toward recovery, a testament to their resilience, and a tribute to the lives forever changed by the events of that fateful July day.
