PITTSBURGH - James Copenhaver, one of the people seriously wounded during the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died. He was 76.
Copenhaver's attorney, Joseph Feldman, confirmed his death Thursday on behalf of the family.
The Associated Press reported that Copenhaver died Wednesday at Allegheny Health Network's West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.
A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
The family's statement did not say whether Copenhaver's death was directly related to the wounds he suffered during the assassination attempt.
There is therefore no confirmation at this time that the 2024 shooting caused his death.
Shot during Butler rally
Copenhaver was sitting in the bleachers at the July 13, 2024 campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop.
Then-candidate Donald Trump was struck in the right ear during the attack.
Copenhaver was hit in the arm and abdomen.
Another spectator, David Dutch, was also seriously wounded.
Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, was killed while shielding members of his family from the gunfire.
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Copenhaver survived serious injuries
Copenhaver survived the initial shooting but faced a lengthy recovery.
The Associated Press reported that his wounds required multiple surgeries.
His injuries included damage to his colon and kidney as well as a loss of feeling in one leg.
He later walked with a cane and continued dealing with lasting physical effects from the attack.
A lawsuit filed by Copenhaver and his wife described the injuries as permanent and life-altering.
Family announces death
Feldman said in a family statement that Copenhaver died surrounded by loved ones.
The family described him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
The statement also highlighted Copenhaver's military service and his commitment to his family and community.
His family asked for privacy following his death.
Moon Township resident
Copenhaver lived in Moon Township in Allegheny County.
Local officials described him after the 2024 shooting as an active member of the community who regularly attended township meetings.
He was 74 at the time of the attack.
He turned 76 before his death this week.
Lawsuit filed against federal government
Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in June 2026 over security failures surrounding the Butler rally.
The lawsuit alleged failures by the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security contributed to the circumstances that allowed the gunman to open fire.
The allegations in that civil case remain separate from the question of Copenhaver's cause of death.
David Dutch, the other surviving spectator wounded in the attack, was also involved in litigation arising from the shooting.
Cause of death remains undisclosed
Neither Copenhaver's attorney nor the family publicly identified a cause of death Thursday.
The Allegheny County medical examiner was cited in local reporting confirming that Copenhaver died at West Penn Hospital.
No official determination has been announced linking his death to injuries from the Butler shooting.
That distinction is important because Copenhaver lived for more than two years after the attack despite the serious and lasting injuries he suffered.
Reaction to Copenhaver's death
The House Republican Conference posted a statement Thursday mourning Copenhaver's death and noting the hardship he endured after being wounded.
The White House did not immediately provide a statement to the Associated Press.
Local Republican officials also issued condolences to Copenhaver's family.
The Butler assassination attempt remains one of the most significant acts of political violence in recent U.S. history.
Copenhaver's death leaves David Dutch as the surviving spectator who was wounded in the attack.
Unless additional medical information is released, the cause of Copenhaver's death remains undisclosed.