James Copenhaver, 76, one of three people shot during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, 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 reports.
Wounds described as life-altering
Copenhaver was sitting in the bleachers at the Butler Farm Show grounds when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing the then-candidate’s right ear and striking multiple attendees. Copenhaver suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and abdomen that required multiple surgeries, including a transection of his colon, and left him with kidney damage and nerve injuries that affected his mobility.
Joseph Feldman, an attorney for the family, said Copenhaver died surrounded by loved ones. The family’s statement called him a devoted husband, father and grandfather and highlighted his service as a military veteran and his devotion to country.
“James’s dedication to this great country was a defining part of his life,” the family statement said.
Lawsuit alleges security failures
In June, Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Pittsburgh naming the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security. The suit alleges the agencies “utterly failed” to provide appropriate security at the rally and claims that their alleged lapses resulted in “significant, grievous and permanent” injuries to Copenhaver.
According to court documents cited in news accounts, Copenhaver’s injuries required repeated procedures and left him walking with a cane. The lawsuit describes his wounds as debilitating and permanent; it remains pending in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Other victims and law-enforcement response
Three attendees were struck during the attack. One of the victims, Corey Comperatore, 50, a Pennsylvania firefighter, died at the scene after shielding family members from gunfire. Another attendee, David Dutch, was shot and survived. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by law enforcement on the roof from which he fired.
| Victim | Age | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| James Copenhaver | 76 | Wounded; died Sept. 24, 2026 (Pittsburgh hospital) |
| Corey Comperatore | 50 | Killed at scene |
| David Dutch | Not specified | Wounded; survived |
- Attack occurred July 13, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
- Gunman fired from a rooftop; was killed by responding officers.
- Federal agencies named in a June lawsuit alleging security failures.
Community and political aftermath
The shooting drew national attention because the intended target was a presidential candidate. The incident prompted scrutiny of event security, federal planning and coordination, and renewed debate over the threat of politically motivated violence. Local residents and leaders in Butler have remained engaged in discussions about public safety at large gatherings.
The family’s statement emphasized Copenhaver’s life beyond the shooting: his military service, his dedication to family and community, and his longstanding patriotism. It did not specify whether his death was directly caused by complications from his 2024 wounds. The Allegheny County medical examiner’s statement, cited in local media, reported his death at West Penn Hospital but did not list an immediate cause.
What comes next
The federal lawsuit filed by the Copenhavers remains active in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Their attorneys allege negligence and failures in planning and communication by the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security. The complaint seeks damages related to the alleged permanent harm suffered by Copenhaver.
As the legal process continues, the death of a man long identified with the Butler rally’s casualties will likely add urgency to inquiries into how security was arranged for the event and whether any procedural changes are warranted for future high-profile gatherings in the state.
Officials with the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately release new public statements following reports of Copenhaver’s death. Local law enforcement previously said investigators had focused on the rooftop vantage point and the timeline of the attacker’s actions leading up to the shootings.
