House Republicans announce Jim Copenhaver’s death; link to Butler wounds unclear

The Independent

House Republicans said Thursday that Jim Copenhaver, shot twice at Donald Trump’s 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died. He was hospitalized and released about a week after the attack; it is unclear whether his death was related to the shooting injuries.

Copenhaver was shot once in the abdomen and once in the arm. Ken Silva, who wrote a book about the assassination attempt, said Thursday he had few details but that Copenhaver had permanent injuries, including bullet fragments still inside him.

In June, Copenhaver filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Secret Service failed to provide required security at or before the rally. He sought at least $150,000, and the case appeared pending. House, Senate and Government Accountability Office reviews separately found the shooting preventable and said the Secret Service had not taken all precautions; they also cited failures in communication and leadership and a lack of necessary resources.

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