BUTLER, Pa. — A man who was seriously wounded during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Butler County campaign rally in July 2024 has died, House Republican officials said Thursday.
Victim sustained major wounds in shooting at Butler Farm Show grounds
Jim Copenhaver, 76, was among the people struck when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire at the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, 2024. The shooting came minutes after Trump took the stage. A shot grazed Trump’s ear, and a Secret Service counter-sniper shot and killed the attacker.
House Republican officials posted a statement on their social media account announcing Copenhaver’s death and offering condolences to his family. The post said Copenhaver had “endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Copenhaver, who was gravely wounded in the horrific shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Jim endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance. We join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and praying for them during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”
Other victims and reported injuries
The July 2024 attack killed a father and local firefighter, Corey Comperatore, who was protecting his family. Another rallygoer, David Dutch, a veteran from New Kensington, was also injured and survived.
Copenhaver was struck by multiple rounds, including one that hit his triceps and another that lodged after taking portions of his colon, according to earlier reporting. He sustained nerve damage and was hospitalized, then discharged about a week after the shooting. In interviews given nearly a year later, Copenhaver and Dutch recounted the chaos and fear as gunfire erupted.
“I was standing up looking at the Jumbotron behind me, and next thing I know my sleeve has been yanked,” Copenhaver told KDKA-TV in an interview about the attack. “I could see a portion of it going by pretty fast, and I heard ‘pew.’ I heard it, and I didn't realize at the time that I had gotten shot. But I turned around, and that's when I got the second shot.”
- Incident: Shooting at Butler Farm Show grounds, July 13, 2024
- Shooter: Thomas Crooks, 20 (killed at scene by Secret Service)
- Fatalities: Corey Comperatore (killed)
- Wounded: Jim Copenhaver (died after injuries), David Dutch (survived)
| Victim | Age | Status | Reported injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Copenhaver | 76 | Died after injuries | Gunshot wounds including triceps, abdominal injury with nerve damage |
| David Dutch | — | Injured, survived | Not fully detailed in recent reports |
| Corey Comperatore | — | Killed | Fatally shot while protecting family |
Local impact and context
The shooting at the Butler Farm Show grounds reverberated beyond the county, prompting scrutiny of security at political events and renewed conversations about threats to public figures and the safety of attendees. For residents of Butler County, the attack produced lasting scars: a local firefighter was killed, others were wounded, and community leaders have repeatedly emphasized support for victims’ families and first responders.
Details about Copenhaver’s death were shared publicly by House Republican channels; local media previously documented his injuries and recovery efforts. Officials have not indicated any new criminal investigations tied directly to Copenhaver’s passing.
The death marks another chapter in the aftermath of an event that drew national attention and underscored the risks faced at large political gatherings.
Reporting from local outlets contributed to this account.
