James “Jim” Copenhaver, a 76-year-old Pennsylvania man who survived the July 2024 shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, has died in Pittsburgh nearly two years after sustaining life-altering gunshot wounds during the attack.
Copenhaver died on September 23, 2026, at Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital, according to reporting citing the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. His family confirmed his death through his attorney and remembered him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and military veteran.
His death brings renewed attention to the lasting physical consequences he experienced after being shot during the Butler rally on July 13, 2024.
James Copenhaver’s Cause of Death
The circumstances surrounding Copenhaver’s death have been reported with some variation.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner confirmed that he died at West Penn Hospital but initially did not publicly disclose a specific cause of death. Local reporting also noted that the medical examiner had not established publicly whether his death was directly connected to his 2024 injuries.
However, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said Copenhaver died from complications stemming from the gunshot wounds he suffered during the Butler shooting, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
Copenhaver had experienced significant medical complications following the shooting, including extensive abdominal injuries, kidney damage, nerve problems and loss of sensation in one leg. He continued to deal with lasting effects from the wounds in the years that followed.
Injured During the 2024 Butler Rally Shooting
Copenhaver was among the spectators caught in the gunfire during the July 13, 2024, campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Pennsylvania.
A gunman positioned on a nearby rooftop opened fire toward the rally. Then-candidate Donald Trump was wounded in the ear, while Copenhaver and fellow attendee David Dutch were also shot. Corey Comperatore, another rally attendee, was killed.
Copenhaver suffered wounds to his arm and abdomen. His injuries required multiple surgeries and caused long-term complications.
According to later reporting and legal filings, one of the bullets caused extensive damage to his colon, while he also experienced kidney damage, nerve problems and reduced sensation in his leg. He eventually returned home but continued living with the consequences of the shooting.
A Long Recovery After the Shooting
The physical effects of the Butler shooting remained part of Copenhaver’s life long after he left the hospital.
Reports said he continued to experience problems associated with his injuries and used a cane to walk. Later accounts also described bullet fragments remaining in his body.
In an interview nearly a year after the attack, Copenhaver recalled realizing that he had been shot after seeing part of his sleeve disappear and hearing the gunfire.
His family said that throughout the difficult period following the shooting, he faced his challenges with strength and determination.
Remembering James Copenhaver
Away from the circumstances that brought him national attention, Copenhaver was remembered by his family primarily as a husband, father and grandfather.
A statement released on behalf of the family described his wife, children and grandchildren as central to his life. His family also highlighted his military service and the importance he placed on hard work, integrity and serving others.
His relatives expressed gratitude for the support and prayers they received during the two years following the Butler shooting.
For those close to Copenhaver, his identity extended well beyond being a survivor of a nationally significant act of violence. He was a family man and veteran whose final years were shaped by both the relationships he valued and the physical consequences of the injuries he endured.
James Copenhaver Obituary: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Copenhaver |
| Known as | Jim Copenhaver |
| Age at death | 76 |
| Date of death | September 23, 2026 |
| Place of death | West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh |
| Hometown | Moon Township, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation/background | Military veteran |
| 2024 incident | Butler campaign rally shooting |
| Injuries | Gunshot wounds to arm/triceps and abdomen |
| Long-term effects | Kidney, nerve and mobility complications |
| Wife | Marianne Copenhaver |
| Cause of death | Reported by Pennsylvania AG as complications from gunshot wounds; medical examiner initially did not publicly specify a cause |
| Funeral arrangements | Not publicly announced in the reports reviewed |
Copenhaver’s Legal Fight After the Shooting
The shooting also led Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne, to pursue legal action against the federal government.
In June 2026, they filed a lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security failed to provide adequate security at the Butler rally. The lawsuit described his injuries as severe and permanently life-altering.
His death occurred while that broader chapter surrounding the Butler shooting remained part of public and legal discussion.
The Other Victims of the Butler Shooting
Copenhaver was one of two spectators who survived being shot during the attack.
David Dutch, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was also wounded and survived. Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief and rally attendee, was killed during the shooting.
Copenhaver’s death therefore represents the second death among the rally attendees who were directly struck by gunfire during the July 2024 attack.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral and memorial arrangements for James Copenhaver have not been publicly announced in the latest reports reviewed.
His family has asked for privacy as they mourn his passing and remember his life.
Additional information about visitation, funeral services or burial arrangements may be released by the family at a later date.
A Life Beyond the Butler Shooting
Although Copenhaver became publicly known because of what happened at the Butler rally, his family’s statement emphasized that his life was defined by much more than the shooting.
He was a husband, father, grandfather and veteran who valued his family and his service to the country.
For more than two years after the attack, he lived with injuries that changed his mobility and required continuing medical care. His death closes a painful chapter for his loved ones, who had watched him cope with the consequences of the shooting since July 2024.
James Copenhaver is survived by the memories of the family and friends who knew him before and after the tragedy that brought his story into the national spotlight.
May James “Jim” Copenhaver rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in the life and memories they shared with him.
Disclaimer
This article is based on current reporting and statements available as of September 25, 2026. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner confirmed Copenhaver’s death but initially did not publicly disclose a specific cause. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has been reported as saying that the death resulted from complications related to the gunshot wounds sustained in 2024. The distinction is noted because official medical information may be updated as additional records become available. Funeral arrangements were not publicly announced in the sources reviewed.