Jim Copenhaver, a 76-year-old man who was seriously wounded during the 2024 shooting at a campaign rally where Donald Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt, has died, two years after the attack in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Copenhaver was one of three rally attendees struck by gunfire on July 13, 2024, when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop during Trump’s campaign event. Trump was wounded in the right ear, while Copenhaver was hit in the arm and abdomen. Another attendee, David Dutch, was also wounded and survived. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter, was killed.
Copenhaver died on Wednesday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to local reports citing the Allegheny County medical examiner. His family said he died surrounded by loved ones. A statement from the family’s lawyer did not initially specify whether his death was directly connected to the injuries he suffered at the rally.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said Copenhaver died from complications stemming from his shooting injuries. The family has described the wounds as life-altering, and reports said he underwent multiple surgeries following the attack.
Trump acknowledged Copenhaver’s death in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday. He described him as a “true American Patriot” and expressed condolences to his family.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Copenhaver had spoken publicly about the shooting in the year following the attack, describing how he initially did not realise he had been hit. He later said the injuries left him with lasting physical problems.
The shooting prompted investigations into security arrangements surrounding Trump’s rally. Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne, later filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging failures by the US Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security in protecting attendees at the event. The allegations have not been established as facts by the lawsuit itself.
The July 2024 attack became one of the most significant incidents of violence involving a US presidential campaign in recent years. Trump was quickly removed from the stage by Secret Service agents after being wounded.
Copenhaver’s death leaves David Dutch as the surviving attendee who was seriously injured by gunfire during the attack. Comperatore died at the rally after being struck by the gunfire.
The Copenhaver family has asked for privacy as it mourns his death and remembers his life.
