ABC News (US)
· collected 2026-09-25 · by Meredith Deliso, Emmanuelle Saliba, Jessie DiMartino
James Copenhaver, one of three people injured during an assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, has died. He was 76 and passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday after being shot two years earlier. Copenhaver's death is remembered with tributes from Trump and House Republicans, who praised him as a "true American Patriot" and for his strength in facing the ordeal. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also commented on the incident, emphasizing the need to reduce political violence and rhetoric.
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 shot during Trump assassination attempt at 2024 campaign rally dies
James Copenhaver was one of three attendees struck by gunfire.
asserted
Copenhaver → shoot → gunfire
One of the spectators shot during the assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died, officials and his family attorney said Thursday.
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officials → shoot → Butler
James Copenhaver, 76, of Moon Township, died on Wednesday "surrounded by his loved ones," an attorney for his family said in a statement.
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attorney → die → statement
Copenhaver was one of three attendees struck when a gunman opened fire at the rally in Butler on July 13, 2024, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
uncertain
gunman → strike → Police
He was "gravely wounded" in the shooting, attorney Joseph Feldman said in a statement on behalf of Copenhaver's family.
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Feldman → wound → family
"Throughout that difficult time, James faced every challenge with the same strength and resolve that defined his life, and the kindness shown by so many brought great comfort to him and to those who love him," Feldman said.
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Feldman → face → him
Copenhaver and his family "have been deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support they have received over the past two years," Feldman said.
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Feldman → receive → years
Copenhaver is remembered by his family as a "devoted husband, father, and grandfather" and a veteran of the armed forces whose "dedication to this great country was a defining part of his life," Feldman said.
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Feldman → remember → life
Copenhaver died at a hospital in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, according to the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner.
uncertain
Copenhaver → die → Examiner
The cause and manner of death are pending, it told ABC News on Thursday.
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it → pende → Thursday
Trump called Copenhaver a "true American Patriot" in a statement on social media Thursday, saying his death is a "tremendous loss."
"His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure," Trump said.
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Trump → call → love
House Republicans addressed Copenhaver's death in a statement Thursday, saying he "endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance.
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he → address → strength
"
"We join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and praying for them during this difficult time.
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We → join → time
May he rest in peace," the statement said.
uncertain
statement → rest → peace
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also extended his condolences to Copenhaver's family.
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Shapiro → extend → family
"The political violence that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 is never okay," Shapiro said in a statement Thursday.
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Shapiro → occur → statement
"I said it at the time in Butler and I say it again today: we all have a responsibility to take down the temperature, rise above hateful rhetoric, and search for a brighter future for this nation.
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we → say → nation
Former Marine David Dutch was also injured in the assassination attempt, police said.
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police → injure → attempt
He was shot in the chest and liver and was initially in a medically induced coma after the shooting, according to the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania.
uncertain
He → shoot → Pennsylvania
The third attendee struck by gunfire -- 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore -- died shielding his family, officials said.
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officials → strike → family
Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet.
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Trump → graze → bullet
Officials said the gunman -- 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania -- fired up to eight shots from the roof of a nearby building before a Secret Service sharpshooter shot and killed him.
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sharpshooter → say → him
The Aporia
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