‘They Need To Listen To Me’: Firefighter’s Widow Still Seeking Answers Year After Trump Rally Shooting

The widow of a firefighter killed during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on President Donald Trump said during a Wednesday interview she needed answers about the incident.

Trump was shot and slightly wounded in the right ear during an assassination attempt while giving a speech at a campaign rally in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, that left former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore dead. His widow, Helen, said attendees at the rally were “sitting ducks.” (RELATED: ‘God Wanted Him To Live’: Trump’s Chief Of Staff Reveals She Thought He Was Killed Before Iconic Fist-Raising Moment)

“We were all sitting ducks that day,” Helen said during a segment on “America Reports.” “Our blood is all over their hands. I am angry. I lost the love of my life.”

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The alleged shooter, Thomas Crooks, reportedly was seen by attendees of the rally, who were pointing to him and warning law enforcement in the minutes before the shooting. The Secret Service reportedly were aware of the would-be assassin nearly an hour before the attack.

“Why weren’t they paying attention?” Helen asked. “Why did they think the roof didn’t need covered?”

The Secret Service came under fire since the attempted assassination for not only reported security failures at the event, but also for not providing immediate answers to questions surrounding the incident that left Trump wounded. Then-Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned July 23 following disastrous testimony before the House Oversight Committee.

Fox News reporter Alexis McAdams asked Helen Comperatore if she believed Crooks acted on his own.

“Honestly, I believe he could,” Helen responded. “I do believe, I mean, kids can do those things when they are mentally not right.”

Helen Comperatore said she would like to talk with the Secret Service about the incident to find out why they failed to prevent the attempt.

“Why Butler? Why Butler? Why was that such a failure?” Helen asked. “I want to sit down and talk to them. I have the right to. They need to listen to me.”

Crooks reportedly carried out internet searches about the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of then-President John F. Kennedy and about depression, Fox News reported. Crooks also was reportedly talking to himself, while authorities have been unable to determine a motive, according to The New York Times.

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