Jim Copenhaver, who was seriously wounded during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died from complications related to his injuries.
The 76-year-old’s death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family’s lawyer. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the injuries sustained in the shooting were responsible for the complications.
Copenhaver was one of two rally-goers injured when gunfire broke out on 13 July 2024. Corey Comperatore was killed, while David Dutch, from New Kensington, was also wounded.
A bullet struck Copenhaver in the triceps, while another entered his body, damaging his colon and leaving him with nerve damage. He was discharged from hospital about a week after the shooting.
Recalling the attack nearly a year later, Copenhaver said he had been looking at the large screen behind him when he felt his sleeve being pulled.
“I could see a portion of it going by pretty fast, and I heard ‘pew.’ I heard it, and I didn’t realise at the time that I had gotten shot. But I turned around, and that’s when I got the second shot,” he said.
His family described him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and said his service as a veteran and love of his country had been defining parts of his life.
Trump offered his condolences in a post on Truth Social, calling Copenhaver “a true American Patriot”. He said Copenhaver had shown “tremendous bravery” and maintained a positive spirit despite what he described as “unimaginable hardships”.
House Republicans also expressed their condolences, saying Copenhaver had endured “unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance”.
