Death comes as family pursues lawsuit alleging Secret Service security failures
Copenhaver died Wednesday at Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn hospital in Pittsburgh, according to a statement from the Allegheny County medical examiner cited in local media accounts.
His attorney, Joseph Feldman, said in a statement issued on behalf of the family that Copenhaver “died surrounded by loved ones.”
The statement did not specify whether Copenhaver’s death was directly related to the injuries he suffered at the 2024 Butler rally.
Copenhaver was in the bleachers at the rally when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking him in the arm and abdomen. One of the bullets grazed Trump’s right ear.
Copenhaver had walked with a cane since the attack. His injuries required multiple surgeries, and he had lingering kidney damage and a loss of feeling in his leg, according to the family’s June lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed by Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, described his wounds as “debilitating, grievous, permanent and life altering” and alleged that the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security had “utterly failed” to provide appropriate security at the rally. The suit names the United States as the defendant.
Two other attendees were also shot during the attack. David Dutch survived his injuries. Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from gunfire.
The White House did not immediately comment on Copenhaver’s death when contacted by reporters Thursday.