Trump Rally Shooting Survivor James Copenhaver Dies at 76

James 'Jim' Copenhaver, 76, died on Wednesday, more than two years after he was shot and wounded during a rally attended by former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Copenhaver had been hospitalized in critical condition after the July 13, 2024, incident, which also saw Trump shot in the ear.

Copenhaver suffered permanent injuries from the attack, sustaining gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen. Bullet fragments remained lodged inside his body. He was a native of Moon Township, near Pittsburgh, and spent time at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh during his recovery. His attorney, Joseph Feldman, described him at the time as a "tough guy" for surviving the ordeal.

Ken Silva of Headline USA, who was close to Copenhaver and wrote the foreword for his book, The Trump Assassination Plots: What Investigations Missed and Why it Matters, confirmed Copenhaver's death. Silva stated he had few details surrounding Copenhaver's passing but noted the ongoing effects of his injuries.

In the foreword for Silva's book, Copenhaver reflected on his life and how he might be remembered, writing, "Well, I got my answer... though taking a bullet meant for the President wasn't exactly what I had in mind." He recounted how a friend obtained tickets to the rally and how a change in seating arrangement led him to a spot where he was shot. He recalled filming the event before being struck in the left triceps and then, moments later, in the abdomen.

Copenhaver's road to recovery was long. He began physical therapy in the summer of 2025, experiencing difficulty with his left leg due to a bullet lodged near his spine, resulting in diminished usage and sensation from below the kneecap to the hip area. He underwent several surgeries, including for a traumatic abdominal wall hernia, laparotomy, laceration repair, and colon transection.

In June, Copenhaver sued the U.S. Government, alleging failures in the Secret Service's security protocols for the rally. David Dutch, another individual wounded in the shooting who was seated two seats away from Copenhaver, also survived the incident. Copenhaver's wife, Marianne, is expected to continue the lawsuit along with Dutch and his wife, seeking damages for alleged security lapses.

Reports from Politico indicated that investigations by a House bipartisan task force and the Senate Homeland Security committee identified significant failures in the Secret Service's planning and response to the Butler rally shooting. These failures included a lack of communication with local law enforcement and the absence of an agent stationed on the roof from which the shooter fired. Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as the shooter. Former President Trump commented on the anniversary of the incident, stating the Secret Service "had a bad day" and "made a mistake."