James Copenhaver, attendee wounded in 2024 Trump rally shooting, dies at 76

Death in Pittsburgh hospital

James Copenhaver, an attendee wounded during the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, died on Wednesday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh at age 76. Family attorney Joseph Feldman announced his death on Thursday, confirming that the military veteran passed away surrounded by his family. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that Copenhaver died from complications related to his gunshot wounds, though the family attorney did not specify whether the death was directly caused by the rally injuries. Feldman described Copenhaver as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather whose family was the center of his world.

The July 2024 Butler rally

The shooting occurred on 13 July 2024 during a presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed onto a nearby rooftop overlooking the fairgrounds and opened fire with a rifle into the crowd. Secret Service snipers shot and killed Crooks seconds after he began firing. One bullet grazed Trump's right ear while he addressed the crowd from the stage, while gunfire struck three attendees seated in the bleachers. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter, was killed while shielding his family from incoming bullets. David Dutch, a 57-year-old attendee, survived after sustaining severe wounds. Copenhaver, a resident of Moon Township, was struck in the arm and abdomen while sitting in the spectator stands. In an interview a year after the shooting, Copenhaver recalled that he initially did not realize he was hit until he turned around and was struck a second time.

Surgeries and federal lawsuit

Emergency responders transported Copenhaver to the hospital in critical condition, where he remained for two weeks before being discharged. His recovery involved multiple operations and treatments for infections, including surgical repair of a severed colon. The wounds left lasting physical impairments, including permanent kidney damage, nerve damage causing loss of sensation in his leg, and a bullet that remained lodged next to his spine, forcing him to walk with a cane. In June, Copenhaver and his wife Marianne joined Dutch in filing a civil lawsuit against the federal government, targeting the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security. The complaint accused federal security agencies of total neglect, negligence, and carelessness in safeguarding the event, characterizing the physical harm as disabling, severe, permanent, and life-altering.

Official tributes and reactions

Following the announcement, political figures and family representatives issued tributes honoring Copenhaver's background and perseverance. Trump posted a message on Truth Social offering condolences to Copenhaver's widow, Marianne, and praising his resilience.

“More than two years ago in Butler, Pennsylvania, a crazed gunman attempted to stifle our America First Movement. Instead, Jim and so many other wonderful Patriots who love our Country, stood united in defense of our shared values of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice.”

Feldman released a statement on behalf of the family emphasizing Copenhaver's lifelong patriotism and military background.

“As a veteran, he proudly served our nation in the armed forces, and his love of country never wavered.”

Republicans in the US House of Representatives also published a tribute recognizing Copenhaver, stating that he faced severe hardship with strength during his two-year recovery.