James Copenhaver, Wounded in Butler Shooting, Dies

James Copenhaver, who was wounded in the July 13, 2024, shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died, according to a statement from the House Republican Conference and information reported by journalist Ken Silva, who cited a person close to Copenhaver’s family. He was 76, according to reports. The House Republican Conference announced Copenhaver’s death in a social-media statement on Thursday, expressing condolences to his family. Silva also reported that Copenhaver had died, citing a person close to the family. The reports did not provide an official cause of death, and they do not establish whether his death was connected to his prior injuries. Copenhaver was one of two spectators critically wounded when a gunman opened fire at the rally. He was struck by two bullets, one in the triceps and another in the abdomen, and underwent multiple surgeries. Silva’s account, attributed to a person close to the family, said Copenhaver had permanent injuries and bullet fragments remained in his body. The reports did not independently establish that the injuries caused his death.