James Copenhaver, Trump Rally Shooting Survivor, Dies at 76

James Copenhaver, Butler Rally Survivor Who Sued Secret Service, Dies at 76

The Pennsylvania man who sustained severe arm and abdominal wounds during the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump has passed away in Pittsburgh.

James Copenhaver, one of the three campaign rally attendees shot during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died at the age of 76. Copenhaver passed away on Wednesday at Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to a statement from the Allegheny County medical examiner cited in local media accounts.

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 passing was directly related to the lingering medical complications stemming from the shooting.

The July 13 Attack and Lingering Injuries

Copenhaver was seated in the bleachers when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. The gunfire grazed Trump’s right ear, killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore as he shielded his family, and injured Copenhaver and another attendee, David Dutch.

Struck in the arm and the abdomen, Copenhaver endured a long and painful medical recovery. His injuries required multiple surgeries, including a transection of his colon. He also suffered lingering kidney and other damage, including a loss of feeling in his leg, which forced him to walk with a cane.

Legal Action Against Federal Agencies

Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, filed a federal lawsuit in June. The legal action alleged that the United States Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security had “utterly failed” to provide appropriate security at the campaign event.

The family’s lawsuit characterized the physical toll of the incident as “debilitating, grievous, permanent and life altering,” highlighting the extensive medical interventions required in the aftermath of the shooting.

Remembering a Veteran and Family Man

Copenhaver’s family remembered him as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who prioritized service and hard work.

“James’s dedication to this great country was a defining part of his life,” the family statement read. “As a veteran, he proudly served our nation in the armed forces, and his love of country never wavered. James was a true American patriot who believed deeply in the freedoms and ideals upon which this nation was founded, and he embodied the very best traits of our great nation.”

Following the news of his death, Donald Trump posted a statement to social media honoring Copenhaver’s resilience.

“Jim showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships,” Trump wrote, designating him “a true American Patriot.”