Man shot and wounded during Trump assassination attempt in Butler dies

James Copenhaver, a 76-year-old Pennsylvania man who sustained severe, life-altering injuries during the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, has died in Pittsburgh. Copenhaver was one of three rally attendees struck by gunfire when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop at the Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign event. While he survived the initial attack, his family and legal representatives have long highlighted the debilitating nature of his wounds, which included multiple surgeries and permanent nerve damage. His passing marks a somber conclusion to a chapter of political violence that left an indelible scar on the American electoral landscape.

A Legacy of Lingering Trauma

The shooting in Butler on July 13, 2024, remains one of the most significant security failures in modern American political history. While the world focused on the narrow escape of the former president, who was grazed in the ear, the human cost for those in the bleachers was catastrophic. James Copenhaver was struck in the arm and abdomen, suffering injuries that required extensive medical intervention, including the repair of a transected colon and ongoing complications from bullet fragments that remained lodged in his body.

In the years following the attack, Copenhaver’s life was defined by the physical and emotional toll of that day. He relied on a cane for mobility and suffered from chronic pain and loss of sensation in his leg, conditions that his legal team described as permanent and life-altering. His death at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, while not explicitly linked to the shooting by his family, follows a long period of struggle with the complications arising from his grievous wounds.

Legal Battles and Accountability

In June 2025, Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne, initiated a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security failed to secure the rally site. The litigation argued that the security apparatus had 'utterly failed' to prevent the gunman from accessing a rooftop with a clear line of sight to the stage. This legal action underscored the broader frustration felt by victims and their families regarding the systemic lapses that allowed the violence to occur.

The lawsuit sought to hold federal agencies accountable for the 'debilitating, grievous, and permanent' injuries Copenhaver endured. By pursuing this case, the Copenhaver family sought not only compensation for medical expenses but also a formal acknowledgment of the negligence that transformed a political rally into a scene of carnage. The case remains a focal point for critics who argue that the security protocols in place at the time were woefully inadequate for a high-profile political event.

A Nation Mourns the Victims

The Butler rally shooting resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, who was killed while shielding his family from the gunfire, and left David Dutch with serious injuries. The loss of Copenhaver serves as a painful reminder of the lasting impact of political violence on ordinary citizens. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with many acknowledging his resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Jim showed tremendous bravery, courageously continuing to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, and maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships.

Donald Trump, in a statement posted to social media, honored Copenhaver as a 'true American Patriot.' The sentiment was echoed by various political figures and observers who noted that while the headlines often focus on the political implications of such events, the true cost is measured in the lives of those who were simply present to exercise their civic rights. As the nation reflects on this tragedy, the memory of those who suffered in Butler continues to serve as a sobering testament to the fragility of public safety in a polarized era.