Jim Copenhaver, a 76-year-old attendee at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died from complications related to gunshot wounds he sustained during the event, according to statements from the Pennsylvania attorney general and county medical examiner. Copenhaver was struck twice when gunfire erupted at the venue. He passed away on Wednesday at a Pittsburgh-area hospital.
The shooting incident resulted in multiple casualties and injuries. Corey Comperatore was killed in the attack, while a third attendee, David Dutch, was also wounded. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was killed by Secret Service personnel after opening fire from a nearby rooftop. During the same incident, a bullet grazed the ear of Donald Trump, who was campaigning at the rally.
Copenhaver’s injuries proved severe and long-lasting. He was shot in the arm and abdomen, with one bullet remaining lodged in his body near his spine more than a year after the incident. The wound caused ongoing mobility issues, requiring him to use a cane. In the period following the shooting, he underwent multiple surgeries and dealt with infections related to his injuries.
In response to his death, various public figures and officials issued statements. Trump posted a tribute on his social media platform, characterizing Copenhaver as a patriot and veteran. An attorney representing Copenhaver’s family emphasized his military service and lifelong commitment to the nation. Members of the Republican caucus in the US House of Representatives also acknowledged his endurance through the ordeal.
Copenhaver and Dutch filed a lawsuit against the federal government in June, seeking damages and asserting that the Secret Service bore responsibility for inadequate security measures at the event. The legal action reflected their contention that protective failures contributed to their injuries.
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