James Copenhaver, one of the people wounded during the July 2024 shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has died at age 76. His death was confirmed on September 24, 2026, after he spent more than two years living with injuries from the shooting.
This article explains what is currently confirmed about Copenhaver’s death, his life, the injuries he suffered in Butler, and the information available about his family and background. His cause of death has not been publicly released.
Background: Who Was James Copenhaver?
James Copenhaver, also known as Jim Copenhaver, was a Pennsylvania man who became known publicly after being wounded at the July 13, 2024, campaign rally for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler County.
Copenhaver was among three rally attendees who were struck by gunfire when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Copenhaver and David Dutch survived the shooting, while Corey Comperatore was killed. The Associated Press reported that Copenhaver was struck in the arm and abdomen and continued to experience lasting injuries after the attack. AP via Action News Jax
Death confirmed: Copenhaver’s lawyer confirmed his death on September 24, 2026. He was 76. His cause of death has not been released publicly. AP via Action News Jax
Latest Update
The House Republican Conference also publicly announced Copenhaver’s death on September 24 and expressed condolences to his family. Local Pennsylvania reporting identified him as a Moon Township man who had been wounded twice during the 2024 Butler rally. WPXI Butler Eagle
Reports have described Copenhaver as continuing to deal with permanent injuries from the shooting. Earlier legal filings stated that he underwent multiple surgeries, while reports also said bullet fragments remained in his body. Those details concern the injuries he sustained in 2024 and should not be treated as an official determination of his cause of death. USA TODAY
Cause of death: No official cause of death has been publicly released as of September 24, 2026. Some reports have linked his death to complications from his previous injuries, but that characterization has not been established as an official cause by the medical examiner.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Public reporting identifies James Copenhaver as a Pennsylvania resident, including reporting that described him as a Moon Township man. The available coverage of his death focuses primarily on his experience as a survivor of the 2024 Butler rally shooting rather than his childhood and early family life.
Detailed information about his upbringing, siblings, childhood, and early personal history has not been independently established in the current reports reviewed.
Career Path
A detailed account of Copenhaver’s professional career has not been included in the current reporting surrounding his death. His public profile largely developed after he was injured at the Butler rally and subsequently discussed the lasting effects of those injuries.
Earlier reports also documented his involvement in legal action following the shooting. In 2026, Copenhaver and his wife, Marianne Copenhaver, filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government concerning the circumstances surrounding the security failures they alleged contributed to his injuries. USA TODAY
Age
James Copenhaver was 76 years old when he died. His age was confirmed by the Associated Press and Pennsylvania news organizations reporting his death on September 24, 2026. AP via Action News Jax
Religion
Copenhaver’s religious affiliation has not been reliably established in the current reports reviewed. No specific denomination or church should be attributed to him without confirmation from his family or an official obituary.
Spouse/Partner
James Copenhaver was married to Marianne Copenhaver, according to reporting on the federal lawsuit they filed after the Butler shooting. The lawsuit was filed jointly by the couple. USA TODAY
Net Worth
No reliable public source reviewed provides a verified figure for James Copenhaver’s net worth. Because financial estimates found online may refer to different people with the same name, no unsupported figure is included here.
Parents
Current reporting about the 2026 death does not provide verified information about James Copenhaver’s parents. His parents’ names and family history have not been established by the sources reviewed for this article.
Height
James Copenhaver’s height has not been publicly confirmed in the current sources reviewed. No reliable measurement is available for publication.
Education
Detailed information about Copenhaver’s education has not been included in the current reporting about his death or his experience at the Butler rally. His schools, degrees, and other educational details therefore remain unconfirmed.
Hometown/State of Origin
Copenhaver was associated with Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and news reports have described him as a Moon Township man. He was also identified in other coverage as being from the Pittsburgh-area region. Butler Eagle
The currently available reports do not establish his exact birthplace or childhood hometown.
Official Social Media
No verified personal social-media account for James Copenhaver has been identified in the reliable reports reviewed for this article. The House Republican Conference publicly posted about his death on X, but that is an organizational account rather than Copenhaver’s personal social-media profile.
Quick Facts About James Copenhaver
| Fact | Confirmed 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, Pennsylvania |
| Known Residence | Moon Township, Pennsylvania |
| Known For | Surviving the July 2024 Butler rally shooting |
| Wounds in 2024 | Gunshot wounds to the arm and abdomen |
| Spouse | Marianne Copenhaver |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly released as of September 24, 2026 |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who was James Copenhaver?
James Copenhaver was a Pennsylvania man who survived being shot during the July 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He later became involved in legal action concerning the security failures he said contributed to his injuries.
Did James Copenhaver die?
Yes. His death was confirmed on September 24, 2026, by his lawyer and reported by multiple news organizations. He was 76 years old. AP via Action News Jax
When did James Copenhaver die?
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Copenhaver died on September 23, 2026, at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. The public announcement of his death came the following day. Beaver County Times via AOL
What was James Copenhaver’s cause of death?
His official cause of death has not been publicly released as of September 24, 2026. Reports have discussed his lasting injuries from the 2024 shooting, but those reports do not constitute an official medical determination of his cause of death.
How old was James Copenhaver?
James Copenhaver was 76 years old when he died. His age was confirmed in reporting published after his death. AP via Action News Jax
Was James Copenhaver injured in the Trump rally shooting?
Yes. Copenhaver was one of the three rally attendees struck by gunfire during the July 13, 2024, Butler shooting. The Associated Press reported that he was hit in the arm and abdomen and suffered lingering injuries. AP via Action News Jax
Who was James Copenhaver’s wife?
James Copenhaver was married to Marianne Copenhaver. The couple filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government following the 2024 shooting. USA TODAY
Where did James Copenhaver live?
News reports identified Copenhaver as a resident of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Moon Township is located in Allegheny County near Pittsburgh.
What happened to James Copenhaver at the Butler rally?
Copenhaver was shot twice during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at the Butler Farm Show grounds. He survived but experienced lasting injuries afterward, according to reporting and his subsequent lawsuit. Butler Eagle USA TODAY
Did James Copenhaver have permanent injuries?
Yes, public reporting has described lasting injuries from the 2024 shooting. Reports said he underwent multiple surgeries and that bullet fragments remained in his body, although these details should be distinguished from the still-unreleased official cause of death. USA TODAY
Wrap-Up
James Copenhaver died on September 23, 2026, at age 76, more than two years after he was seriously wounded during the 2024 Butler rally shooting. His death was publicly confirmed on September 24, and authorities have not yet released an official cause of death.
Copenhaver’s experience became part of the broader history of the Butler shooting because he survived gunfire that also killed Corey Comperatore and wounded David Dutch. In the years afterward, Copenhaver continued to deal with the effects of his injuries and joined his wife in legal action concerning the security surrounding the rally.
Because this is a developing obituary story, additional information about funeral arrangements, his family, and the official cause of death may become available. Any future details should be checked against statements from his family, attorney, medical examiner, or funeral home before being treated as confirmed.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared using publicly available reporting reviewed on September 24, 2026, including Associated Press reporting and Pennsylvania news coverage. It distinguishes confirmed information from claims or reports that have not been established as official findings. The article may be updated if authorities, the family, or their representatives release additional information about James Copenhaver’s death or funeral arrangements.
