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Trump Mourns Death of Rallygoer Shot in Butler Assassination Attempt
Confirmed
In Short: Copenhaver, 76, died after being shot during the July 13, 2024, event that saw an assassination attempt on then-candidate Trump.
President Donald Trump mourned the death of Jim Copenhaver, a rallygoer who was critically wounded during a shooting at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, more than two years ago.
According to Breitbart, Copenhaver was seated behind Trump and was seriously wounded from one of several shots sprayed by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks from a rooftop overlooking the rally.
Crooks, 20, was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the scene after the shooting.
Copenhaver had been dealing with permanent injuries from the attack, including bullet fragments still lodged in his body, according to a journalist who wrote a book about the assassination attempt.
The gunman's father, Matthew Crooks, had tried to prevent his son from accessing firearms in May 2024, approximately two months before the attempted assassination.
Copenhaver was one of three people shot during the assassination attempt, with another attendee, David Dutch, also suffering serious injuries.
Copenhaver's family attorney issued a statement, but did not clarify whether his injuries from the shooting contributed to his death.
House Republicans expressed deep sadness over Copenhaver's passing, noting his grave injuries from the shooting.
Former Marine David Dutch was shot in the chest and liver and was initially in a medically induced coma after the shooting.
The cause and manner of Copenhaver's death are pending, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Trump said, “His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure,” in response to Copenhaver's death.
Shapiro, a political commentator, stated, “The political violence that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, is never okay.”
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Crooks, who fired his shots from a nearby rooftop, was shot dead almost immediately.
- Trump narrowly escaped death when a bullet grazed his right ear.