Jim Copenhaver, one of two people wounded during the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died. House Republicans announced the death of the 76-year-old Moon Township resident on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The shooting occurred on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The suspected shooter, identified as Thomas Crooks, fired multiple shots toward the stage, striking Trump and several audience members. Corey Comperatore was killed during the incident, while Copenhaver and David Dutch were severely injured.
Copenhaver was struck by two bullets during the rally. One hit his triceps and another entered his torso, lodging near his spine. The torso wound caused significant damage to his colon and resulted in nerve damage that eventually required him to use a cane for mobility. He was discharged from the hospital approximately one week after the initial shooting. In a statement released through the Allegheny Health Network at that time, Copenhaver’s family thanked first responders and medical staff for his care.
The incident remains a point of focus for federal lawmakers and investigators. The U.S. House Republicans, who announced Copenhaver's passing, have highlighted his "strength and perseverance" during his recovery. The shooting led to immediate changes in security protocols for major political events and sparked multiple congressional inquiries into the security failures at the Butler Farm Show site. The long-term physical impact on the survivors, including Copenhaver's reliance on a cane and his account of a "jolt" that left his leg unsteady, illustrates the lasting medical consequences for victims of political violence.
While the exact cause of Copenhaver's death has not been reported, his passing follows two years of medical challenges related to his injuries. The legal and investigative proceedings regarding the assassination attempt continue to process the events of that day. No specific memorial dates or further official actions regarding his estate or the investigation were included in the recent announcements. Copenhaver had previously stated his belief that a "higher power" was responsible for his initial survival during the shooting.