Butler, PA Stands Strong One Year After Trump Rally Shooting

In the small, tight-knit town of Butler, Pennsylvania, a community of just 13,000 souls, no one could have foreseen their quiet corner of the world becoming the stage for an event that would echo through American history. On July 13, 2024, a gunman named Thomas Mathew Crooks unleashed a hail of bullets at a rally for Donald Trump, the once and future president, at the local farm showgrounds. The violence not only shook the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania but altered the nation’s trajectory.

One of those bullets grazed Trump’s ear, a near-fatal moment that could have ended differently with the slightest turn of his head. In the aftermath, Republicans galvanized around him, and Trump’s re-election victory came on a wave of fervent support, with many—including Trump himself—claiming divine intervention had spared him to lead America forward.

Yet, for the people of Butler, the incident has left a lingering scar. Their town, once known for its peaceful farm life and wholesome community events, is now tied to a dark day. “It’s heartbreaking to see Butler thrust into the spotlight for such a tragic reason,” said J.D. Longo, mayor of nearby Slippery Rock. He emphasized the area’s appeal as a place to raise a family and live a good life, far from the violence that now defines its name for many.

At the heart of the community’s grief is the loss of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter killed during the attack. Residents speak with deep sorrow for his family, yet they also take pride in how Butler united in the wake of tragedy. “We hope Butler can be remembered not for the horror of that day, but for how we came together to support the Comperatore family and stand by the president,” one local shared.

Despite the pain, there’s a resilience here. The Butler Farm Show, an annual event cherished for its family-friendly attractions like fresh vanilla milkshakes and truck pulls, was the site of the rally. Now, it struggles to reclaim its identity, with media barred from filming on the property. Locals like Erin Autenreith lament the stain on their community’s reputation, describing Butler as a slice of rural charm just 45 minutes from Pittsburgh.

Still, the spirit of Butler endures. In the days following the shooting, residents rallied to support those affected, embodying what one local called the “tough cookie” grit of the Pittsburgh area. Even rally-goers like Lucie Roth, who sat just behind Trump during the attack, returned to stand by him at his next event, undeterred by the past. For Butler, the path forward is one of healing, unity, and a fierce determination to redefine their story.