James Copenhaver, one of three attendees shot during an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, has died. He was 76. His death was confirmed by his attorney.

Copenhaver was shot in the arm and the abdomen during the attack. A year after the shooting, the bullet remained lodged in his body next to his spine, forcing him to walk with a cane. He had undergone multiple surgeries and suffered infections in the period following the attack.

Trump paid tribute to Copenhaver in a post on his Truth Social platform, calling him a "true American patriot."

"More than two years ago in Butler, Pennsylvania, a crazed gunman attempted to stifle our America First Movement. Instead, Jim and so many other wonderful Patriots who love our Country, stood united in defense of our shared values of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice," Trump wrote. "Our hearts and prayers are with the Copenhaver family, especially his incredible wife Marianne."

An attorney for Copenhaver's family said his dedication to the United States was a "defining part of his life."

"As a veteran, he proudly served our nation in the armed forces, and his love of country never wavered," the lawyer said in a statement.

In an interview given a year after the Butler rally, Copenhaver and David Dutch, the third attendee who was shot, described the ongoing physical toll of their injuries, including infections and repeated surgeries.

In June, Copenhaver and Dutch filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing the Secret Service had failed to ensure their safety and was therefore liable for their injuries.

Republicans in the US House of Representatives also paid tribute to Copenhaver, saying in a social media post: "Jim endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance."