James Copenhaver, Survivor of Trump Rally Shooting, Dies From Injuries

James Copenhaver, who was wounded in the 2024 assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, has died. Copenhaver, in his mid-70s, succumbed to complications from his injuries on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

Copenhaver was present at the Butler Farm Show complex outside Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire during a Trump campaign rally. Crooks, who had scaled a nearby building, shot several individuals, including Copenhaver. The attack resulted in the death of Butler County firefighter Corey Comperatore and wounded others, including David Dutch.

Reports indicate Copenhaver had been dealing with lasting injuries, including bullet fragments remaining in his body, and had undergone multiple surgeries. A lawsuit filed by Copenhaver earlier this year alleged ongoing complications from the shooting.

The House Republican Conference confirmed Copenhaver's death on social media, stating they were "deeply saddened" and acknowledged his "strength and perseverance" in enduring his injuries. Journalist Ken Silva, who has written about the assassination attempt, also reported Copenhaver's death, citing confirmation from a source close to the family.

In a 2025 interview with Pittsburgh’s KDKA, Copenhaver described the moment he was shot, recounting hearing a "pew" sound and feeling a jolt after being hit twice. He stated that the bullets struck "soft material" and did not incapacitate him immediately, though he did not wish to stand afterward.

Jondavid Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, who spoke at the Butler rally, mourned Copenhaver's passing, noting that he "never fully recovered from the wounds" and lived with "surgeries, remaining fragments, and pain." Longo also remembered Corey Comperatore and David Dutch, emphasizing the lasting impact of the event on the community.

The July 2024 attack led to significant scrutiny of the Secret Service's security protocols. Investigations revealed lapses in planning and communication, resulting in the resignation of then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. A subsequent bipartisan House task force concluded the attack was preventable due to failures in planning, execution, and leadership.

Six Secret Service agents were suspended in connection with the security failures. In October 2024, Donald Trump returned to Butler to hold another rally at the same site and to honor Corey Comperatore. The image of Trump with blood on his face following the assassination attempt became a notable moment during his successful campaign for a second nonconsecutive term as president.