James Copenhaver, one of three rally attendees shot during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh at age 76, according to his lawyer and local medical examiner records.
Background of the Butler Rally Shooting
Copenhaver was seated in the bleachers during the outdoor campaign event when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. The attack grazed Trump’s right ear and struck three audience members. David Dutch survived his injuries, while Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire. Copenhaver sustained wounds to his arm and abdomen that required multiple surgeries, including a transection of his colon, alongside lingering kidney damage and a loss of feeling in his leg.
Legal Action Against Federal Security
In June, Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The legal complaint alleged that the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security failed to provide appropriate security at the Butler rally. The filing described Copenhaver’s physical toll as debilitating, grievous, permanent, and life-altering, noting that he required a cane to walk due to his injuries.
Family and Public Tributes
Joseph Feldman, Copenhaver’s lawyer, issued a statement on behalf of the family confirming that he died surrounded by loved ones. The statement did not specify whether his death was directly related to the injuries he suffered at the rally. The family described Copenhaver as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who served as a veteran in the armed forces.
Former President Donald Trump posted a statement to social media calling Copenhaver a true American patriot. Trump wrote that Jim showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,” and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships.
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