ABC News (US)
· collected 2026-09-24 · by GENE JOHNSON Associated Press, JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press
James Copenhaver, one of three people shot during a 2024 Trump campaign rally assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, died at age 76 on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. He was wounded in the arm and abdomen by a gunman who fired shots from a rooftop, grazing then-candidate Donald Trump’s ear. Two others were also injured; one survivor and another fatally shot. Copenhaver's lawyer said he died surrounded by loved ones but did not specify if his death was directly linked to his injuries. The article focuses on the tragic aftermath of the shooting and highlights Copenhaver’s enduring patriotism and dedication to his country.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
James Copenhaver, a 76-year-old man who was shot during an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, has died. Copenhaver was one of three people injured that day; he suffered gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen, leaving him with life-altering injuries and walking with a cane. The shooting occurred when Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, fired from a nearby rooftop. Copenhaver died on Wednesday at Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. His lawyer, Joseph Feldman, confirmed that he passed away surrounded by loved ones and stated that the family was deeply grateful for the support they received over the past two years.
Written for “Trump Rally Shooting Victim Dies” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
Man who was shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died
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who → shoot → Butler
James Copenhaver, one of three campaign rally attendees shot in 2024 during an assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump, has died
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Copenhaver → shoot → Trump
James Copenhaver, one of three campaign rally attendees shot in 2024 during an assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump, has died in Pittsburgh, his lawyer said Thursday.
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lawyer → shoot → Pittsburgh
Copenhaver was in the bleachers during the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing Trump’s right ear with one bullet.
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gunman → open → bullet
Copenhaver was struck in the arm and in the abdomen, wounds that left him with lingering injuries and walking with a cane.
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that → strike → cane
Two other attendees were also shot — David Dutch, who survived, and Corey Comperatore, who shielded his family from gunfire and was killed.
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who → shoot → gunfire
Copenhaver died Wednesday at Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to a statement from the Allegheny County medical examiner cited in local media accounts.
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Copenhaver → die → accounts
Copenhaver’s lawyer, Joseph Feldman, said in a statement issued on behalf of the family that he died surrounded by loved ones.
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he → say → ones
The statement did not specify if his death was directly related to the injuries he suffered at the rally.
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he → specify → rally
Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, sued the federal government in June, alleging that the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security had “utterly failed” to provide appropriate security at the rally.
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Service → sue → rally
Copenhaver’s injuries required multiple surgeries, including a transection of his colon, and he had lingering kidney and other damage, including a loss of feeling in his leg.
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he → require → leg
The lawsuit described the wounds as “debilitating, grievous, permanent and life altering.”
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lawsuit → describe → wounds
The family's statement Thursday called Copenhaver above all else a devoted husband, father and grandfather who instilled the values of hard work, integrity and the service to others in his children.
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who → call → children
“James’s dedication to this great country was a defining part of his life,” it said.
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it → define → life
“As a veteran, he proudly served our nation in the armed forces, and his love of country never wavered.
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love → serve → country
James was a true American patriot who believed deeply in the freedoms and ideals upon which this nation was founded, and he embodied the very best traits of our great nation.”
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he → believe → nation
The White House did not immediately comment on Copenhaver’s death.
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House → comment → death
In a statement posted to social media, the House Republican Conference said he had “endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance.”
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he → post → strength
“We join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and praying for them during this difficult time,” the statement said.
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statement → join → time
Johnson reported from Seattle and Smyth from Columbus, Ohio.
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Johnson → report → Columbus
The Aporia
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