Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday praised Corey Comperatore, the man killed at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday, as a brave Italian-American whose last act was to protect his family from gunfire in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Meloni noted that Mr. Comperatore was a former fire chief of Calabrian descent.

“He died a hero, acting as a shield for his wife and daughter, standing between them and the bullets detonated by the attacker who fired during Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Ms. Meloni wrote on X in Italian.

A 20-year-old gunman opened fire on the Saturday rally in Butler County shortly after Mr. Trump took the stage.

Mr. Trump’s ear was grazed, Mr. Comperatore was killed and two other persons were seriously wounded.

“Corey sacrificed his life to save that of his loved ones, instinctively, without a moment’s thought. A gesture of love and extreme altruism which can only be honoured,” Ms. Meloni wrote. “To all his family members, I renew my deepest condolences. Rest in peace, Corey.”

The Biden administration also paid tribute to Mr. Comperatore on Monday.

“Our prayers are with Corey’s family during this unimaginable time,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the start of her daily briefing.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.