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Trump Mourns Death of Rallygoer Shot in Butler Assassination Attempt
Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump mourned the death of Jim Copenhaver, a rallygoer who was shot during a 2024 assassination attempt at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Copenhaver, 76, died after being seriously wounded from one of several shots fired by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks from a rooftop overlooking the event.
Crooks, 20, was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the scene.
Copenhaver was seated behind Trump and was one of three people shot during the attack.
Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the ear, narrowly escaping death.
Attorney Joseph Feldman issued a statement on behalf of the Copenhaver family, but the cause and manner of death are still pending.
Former Marine David Dutch, who was also injured in the assassination attempt, was shot in the chest and liver and was initially in a medically induced coma.
Republican lawmakers were surprised by the new revelations about Crooks and the attempted assassination.
House Republicans expressed deep sadness over Copenhaver's passing, calling the shooting a horrific event.
What's confirmed
- President Donald Trump this week mourned the death of Jim Copenhaver, a rallygoer who was shot during the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, event that saw an assassination attempt on the then candidate for president.
- More than two years ago in Butler, Pennsylvania, a crazed gunman attempted to stifle our America First Movement.
- James “Jim” Copenhaver, 76, died after being critically wounded during the July 13th shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to the Sun.
What's still developing
- “Ken Silva, a journalist who wrote a book about the assassination attempt, wrote on his website that a person close to Copenhaver’s family confirmed Copenhaver had been dealing with permanent injuries from the attack, including bullet fragments still lodged in his body,”.
- WATCH — Trump Butler Shooting Witness Details Her Experience: I Stood There “Frozen”: Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the ear.
- His death was first reported on X on Thursday by journalist Ken Silva.
- I don’t have many details at this point, but it’s no secret that Jim was dealing with permanent injuries from Butler—including having bullet fragments still inside of him.… pic.twitter.com/37nRhQfcla A source also confirmed his death to the Sun, who added that his grieving family is not yet ready to comment.
- The 20-year-old fired on Trump in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, during a presidential campaign speech, grazing his ear, and seen live on TV.
- An attendee at the rally was killed while attempting to shield his family.
- KVNU - News for Northern Utah and Southern Idaho 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.
- 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.
- “His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure,” Trump said.
- “The political violence that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 is never okay,” Shapiro said in a statement Thursday.
- “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Copenhaver, who was gravely wounded in the horrific shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the group wrote on their X account Sept. 24.
- Copenhaver and fellow rallygoer David Dutch suffered serious injuries and ongoing complications.