James Copenhaver, who was wounded during the 2024 shooting at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died, according to multiple outlets. The Times of India reported he was 76.
President Donald Trump mourned Copenhaver's death, calling it a "tremendous loss," according to The Hill and other outlets.
According to The Federalist, which cited a statement from Copenhaver's family to Fox News, he died on Wednesday "surrounded by his loved ones." The family described him as "a devoted husband, father, and grandfather," and said he was wounded while protecting his family during the Butler attack, per The Federalist.
The shooting occurred during the July 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassination attempt was made on Trump, then a presidential candidate. The Federalist noted that Copenhaver's death comes as Democrats have increased violent rhetoric, though this characterization was not corroborated by other outlets.
How each side covered it
Left
- NBC News reported the death of the man wounded during the 2024 Butler Trump rally shooting, without additional detail provided.
“Man wounded during 2024 Butler Trump rally shooting dies” — NBC News
Center
- The Hill and Just the News reported that Trump mourned the death, quoting his description of it as a 'tremendous loss.'
- BBC News and The Times of India confirmed the death of the man shot at the 2024 Butler rally, identifying him as James Copenhaver, 76.
- The Times of India specified the victim's age as 76 at the time of his death.
“Trump assassination attempt victim James Copenhaver dies at 76” — The Times of India
Right
- Breitbart and Just the News reported Trump's mourning statement, identifying the victim as Jim/James Copenhaver, shot during the Butler assassination attempt.
- The Federalist noted Copenhaver was wounded while protecting his family and died surrounded by loved ones, citing a family statement to Fox News.
- The Federalist linked the death to broader concerns about Democrats' rhetoric, framing it within a debate over political violence.
- Independent Journal Review reported Copenhaver was shot twice, died with bullet fragments still in his body, and that the cause of death was not released.
“wounded while protecting his family” — The Federalist
Questions readers ask
What happened to James Copenhaver?
James Copenhaver, who was wounded during the July 2024 shooting at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died. Multiple outlets reported his death, with The Times of India giving his age as 76.
Why does James Copenhaver's death matter?
Copenhaver was one of the people injured during the assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump at a July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. His death, roughly two years later, has renewed public attention to that event, according to multiple outlets.
What did Trump say about Copenhaver's death?
President Donald Trump mourned Copenhaver's death, calling it a "tremendous loss," according to The Hill and other outlets covering his reaction.
What did left, center, and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning coverage (NBC News) focused simply on reporting the death of the man wounded in the Butler shooting. Center outlets emphasized both the death itself and Trump's reaction, with The Times of India naming the victim as James Copenhaver. Right-leaning outlets emphasized Trump's mourning and, in The Federalist's case, linked the death to broader claims about political rhetoric from Democrats.
How did Copenhaver's family describe him?
According to The Federalist, which cited a statement to Fox News, Copenhaver's family called him "a devoted husband, father, and grandfather" who died Wednesday surrounded by his loved ones.
Sources · 12 outlet reports
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningMan wounded during 2024 Butler Trump rally shooting dies
- PBS NewsHourLeft-leaningMan who was shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died
- BBC NewsCenterMan shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler dies
- BBC SportCenterMan shot during 2024 Trump campaign rally in Butler dies
- The HillCenterTrump mourns death of man shot at Butler rally: ‘Tremendous loss’
- The Times of IndiaCenterTrump assassination attempt victim James Copenhaver dies at 76
- BreitbartRight-leaningTrump Mourns Death of Rallygoer Shot in Butler Assassination Attempt
- GB NewsRight-leaningJames Copenhaver: Man shot in Donald Trump assassination attempt dies from injuries
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningMan wounded at Trump Butler rally dies at 76
- Just the NewsRight-leaningTrump mourns death of man shot at Butler rally
- The FederalistRight-leaningAnother Victim Of Butler Assassination Attempt Dies As Democrats Amp Up Violent Rhetoric
- The TimesRight-leaningJames Copenhaver, shot at Trump rally, dies two years later