James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, was one of the men critically wounded at Trump’s deadly campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this month. He suffered “life-altering injuries” after being struck by errant bullets fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was aiming at former President Trump. Copenhaver was one of three rally-goers shot and is the last surviving victim to be released from the hospital. He expressed gratitude for the support he received while recovering at Allegheny General Hospital.
In a statement from his family, Copenhaver thanked first responders, medics, and hospital staff for their care. He also kept Trump and the other rally victims in his thoughts and prayers, wishing them a safe and speedy recovery. Copenhaver’s family has asked for privacy while he recovers from the act of violence that took place at the rally. Moon Township supervisor Al Quaye expressed disbelief when he learned that Copenhaver had been shot, describing him as a super nice guy who was a regular fixture at local board meetings.
The other surviving victim, Marine veteran David Dutch, 57, was released after an 11-day stay at Allegheny General Hospital. He was struck twice by Crooks’ bullets and has since been released. Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief and a devoted fan of Trump, died while shielding his family from the hail of bullets. Copenhaver, Dutch, and Comperatore were all impacted by the tragic events of the rally, with Copenhaver and Dutch surviving their injuries but facing long roads to recovery.
The shooting at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania left multiple people injured and one dead, with the survivors now dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of the violence that took place. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with local leaders expressing their disbelief at what occurred. As the survivors continue to recover, the community has come together to offer support and prayers for their healing.
The tragic events at the Trump rally have highlighted the dangers of violence in political settings and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. The survivors of the shooting, including James Copenhaver and David Dutch, now face a long road to recovery as they seek to heal from their physical injuries and emotional trauma. The outpouring of support from the community has helped these individuals navigate their recoveries and process the events that took place at the rally.
Moving forward, there will likely be ongoing discussions about safety and security at political events to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The survivors of the Trump rally shooting will continue to receive support from their community as they work towards recovery, and efforts will be made to address the underlying issues that led to the violence that took place. Despite the tragedy that occurred, the strength and resilience shown by the survivors and the community offer hope for healing and unity in the face of adversity.
