President Trump mourned Jim Copenhaver, a 76-year-old spectator wounded during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally. Copenhaver died more than two years later from complications related to wounds that required multiple surgeries and left him with nerve damage and reduced mobility. The shooting killed Butler County firefighter Corey Comperatore and wounded others, including David Dutch and Trump, whose ear was struck. Copenhaver and Dutch later filed separate federal lawsuits alleging the Secret Service failed to provide adequate protection.
Trump Mourns Jim Copenhaver, Butler Rally Survivor Who Died From Shooting Complications
(Evan Vucci / AP)
President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed sorrow over the death of Jim Copenhaver, a 76-year-old spectator who was wounded during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Copenhaver died more than two years later from complications tied to the injuries he sustained in the attack.
Copenhaver was shot in the arm and abdomen when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a nearby rooftop during the rally. His family described the wounds as "life-altering." The injuries caused nerve damage and required multiple surgeries, including a transection of his colon. Months after the shooting, Copenhaver told NBC News he had lost roughly 30 pounds and needed a cane to walk.
"Jim Copenhaver, a true American Patriot, has passed away — A tremendous loss!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "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."
During the attack, Butler County firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from gunfire. Two other spectators, including David Dutch, were wounded but initially survived. Trump was also struck in the right ear; a Secret Service counter-sniper fatally shot the gunman at the scene.
According to a statement cited by NBC News from Joseph A. Feldman, the attorney representing Copenhaver's family, Copenhaver died Wednesday "surrounded by his loved ones." CBS News reported that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office said his death resulted from complications stemming from those wounds.
In June, Copenhaver and David Dutch, joined by their wives, filed separate federal lawsuits against the United States alleging negligence by the Secret Service and claiming the agency failed to provide adequate security at the rally. The suits seek accountability for the harm the plaintiffs suffered as a result of the attack.
Trump added: "After being wounded while protecting his family, Jim showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships. His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure. Our hearts and prayers are with the Copenhaver family, especially his incredible wife Marianne. God bless you all!"
The family statement and media reports emphasize the long-term consequences of the injuries sustained in the attack, and the ongoing legal effort to address security failures alleged at the rally.
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