President Donald Trump paid tribute Friday to James “Jim” Copenhaver, a supporter wounded during the 2024 assassination attempt at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Copenhaver died Wednesday at age 76.
“God bless American Patriot and Warrior, James Copenhaver, and his incredible family. May he rest in peace!!!” Trump wrote in a Friday morning Truth Social post.
It was Trump’s second tribute in less than a day. In a longer post Thursday evening, he called Copenhaver a “true American Patriot” and his death “a tremendous loss.” Trump praised Copenhaver for maintaining a positive spirit through the hardships that followed the shooting and offered prayers for his family, especially his wife, Marianne.
The Man Trump Remembered
Copenhaver was in the crowd on July 13, 2024, when a gunman fired toward Trump and rallygoers from the roof of a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear. Former fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed, and another spectator, David Dutch, was seriously injured. A Secret Service sharpshooter killed the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Copenhaver was shot in the arm and abdomen and suffered lasting nerve damage. He later told CBS Pittsburgh that he saw part of his sleeve fly away before realizing he had been hit. He was struck again when he turned.
His family remembered him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, as well as a military veteran. Family attorney Joseph Feldman said Copenhaver died at a Pittsburgh hospital surrounded by loved ones. The family expressed gratitude for the support it had received during his recovery.
The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner said Copenhaver’s cause and manner of death remain pending. His death has not been officially attributed to his gunshot wounds or a surgical complication.
The House Republican Conference announced his death Thursday and praised the strength he showed after Butler.
