James Copenhaver, who was struck by gunfire during the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, has died in hospital at the age of 76.

Mr Copenhaver passed away on Wednesday, more than two years after the shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A source close to his family confirmed that his death was a consequence of lasting injuries and a bullet that had remained lodged in his body ever since the attack.

The shooting took place on 13 July 2024 at the Butler Farm Show complex, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop. Secret Service agents shot Crooks dead at the scene. Corey Comperatore was killed during the attack, while David Dutch also suffered gunshot wounds, and a bullet grazed the ear of Mr Trump, who was then the presidential candidate.

At the time of the shooting, Mr Copenhaver was 74 and seated to Mr Trump's left when the gunman began firing. In an interview with KDKA, he recalled the moment the bullets hit: "I didn't realise at the time that I had gotten shot, but I turned around and that's when I got the second shot."

He described the impact as feeling "like a jolt" — one that didn't knock him straight to the ground, but left him completely unwilling to remain standing. One round passed through his triceps, while the other remained embedded inside him, causing long-term nerve damage.

That lodged bullet left Mr Copenhaver reliant on a walking cane for mobility. Following the shooting, he spent a fortnight at Allegheny General Hospital in a critical but stable condition, going on to undergo multiple surgeries in the months that followed.

His family lawyer, Joseph Feldman, confirmed that Mr Copenhaver — a veteran described as a "devoted husband, father and grandfather" — had his loved ones by his bedside when he died.

In June, Mr Copenhaver had launched legal action against the US Government. The lawsuit accused the Secret Service of "negligence, recklessness and/or carelessness" for failing to prevent the attack, arguing that the security failures left him with "severe, serious, permanent and grievous injuries" that ultimately contributed to his death.

Donald Trump honoured Mr Copenhaver in a statement posted to Truth Social, calling him "a true American Patriot" and describing his death as "a tremendous loss". Mr Trump wrote: "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 defence of our shared values of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice."

The president praised Mr Copenhaver for continuing to "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT" while "maintaining a positive spirit despite unimaginable hardships". Extending his condolences to the family, Mr Trump singled out Mr Copenhaver's wife Marianne, adding: "His indelible legacy of love and devotion will forever endure."

What we don't have yet is a formal cause of death released on the public record, though family sources have made clear how directly his health complications stemmed from the wounds he suffered that day. The future of his legal claim against the US Government following his passing also remains to be seen.

I'll be watching how those legal proceedings move forward — check back for updates as this develops.