James “Jim” Copenhaver, 76, died Wednesday at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, more than two years after he was shot twice during a July 13, 2024 assassination attempt against President Trump. His cause of death has not been disclosed, though family attorney Joseph Feldman stated he passed surrounded by loved ones.

Copenhaver suffered “life-altering” injuries when a gunman fired at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Pennsylvania, striking his tricep and abdomen. The attack killed volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, who died shielding his family, and seriously wounded Marine veteran David Dutch.

A bipartisan House task force concluded the Butler incident was preventable, citing failures in security planning and execution. The report highlighted that the American Glass Research complex had a clear line of sight to the event stage but remained unsecured. Officials also failed to establish clear responsibility for the area, creating patrol and surveillance gaps as the gunman drew attention from people outside the perimeter. Misunderstandings between Secret Service and local law enforcement further compounded risks, delaying critical interventions.

The task force emphasized that multiple failures in planning, execution, and leadership collectively exposed President Trump and attendees to grave danger. Copenhaver’s family described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and veteran whose resilience defined his life after surviving the shooting. His death underscores the enduring human toll of political violence, leaving families to carry grief into every ordinary moment.

President Trump marked Copenhaver’s passing with tribute, calling him an “American Patriot and Warrior.” The incident remains a somber reminder of the cost when security fails those who place their trust in the system.