James Copenhaver, a 76-year-old veteran who was gravely wounded during the assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died. He passed away on Wednesday surrounded by family, according to a statement from his attorney, Joseph Feldman.
Copenhaver was one of three individuals struck by gunfire on July 13, 2024, when the gunman opened fire on the crowd. He was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, according to the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner. The official cause and manner of death remain pending.
Feldman described Copenhaver as a “devoted husband, father, and grandfather” and noted that his military service and dedication to the country were defining aspects of his life. “Throughout that difficult time, James faced every challenge with the same strength and resolve that defined his life,” Feldman said, adding that the family has been deeply grateful for the support received over the past two years.
Former President Trump issued a statement on social media Thursday, calling Copenhaver a “true American Patriot” and describing his death as a “tremendous loss.” Trump added that Copenhaver’s “indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure.”
House Republicans also released a statement honoring Copenhaver, writing that he “endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance.” They joined his family in mourning and offered prayers for his rest.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro extended his condolences and addressed the broader implications of the violence. “The political violence that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 is never okay,” Shapiro said. He urged Americans to “take down the temperature, rise above hateful rhetoric, and search for a brighter future for this nation.”
The shooting, carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, injured three attendees. In addition to Copenhaver, former Marine David Dutch was shot in the chest and liver and was initially placed in a medically induced coma. Firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, died while shielding his family. Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet. Secret Service sharpshooters killed Crooks after he fired from the roof of a nearby building.
I had no idea he passed away this recently. My thoughts are with his family and all the victims’ loved ones during this difficult time.
Two years later and the wounds still haven’t healed. Let’s hope we can finally move past the rhetoric and honor their memory in peace.
So sad. A hero firefighter lost his life, and now this veteran too. The toll of that day is truly heartbreaking for everyone involved.