One of the men seriously injured at President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this month has been released from the hospital but still has a long road to recovery, his family said Sunday.
James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, suffered “life-changing injuries” after being hit by a bullet accidentally fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was aiming at former President Trump from a nearby rooftop during the July 13 rally.
He was one of three protesters shot and the last surviving person to be released from hospital.
In a statement from his family, the retired grandfather expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of support” he received while recuperating at Allegheny General Hospital. KDKA reported.
“Jim would like to extend a special thank you to the emergency medical personnel, doctors and hospital staff who provided his initial and ongoing care,” his family said in a statement.
Copenhaver also said his thoughts and prayers were with Trump, who was hit by a bullet near his ear as he was onstage, and the other victims at the rally.
“He prays for everyone’s safety and a speedy recovery,” the outlet reported, and the family has asked for privacy while he recovers from “this horrific, senseless and unnecessary act of violence.”
Moon Township Supervisor Al Quay told KDKA he was in disbelief when he found out Copenhaver had been shot, saying he regularly attends local board meetings.
“Jim is such a good guy and I couldn’t believe something like this would happen to him,” Quay said.
Another survivor, Marine Corps veteran David Duch, 57, was released Wednesday from Allegheny General Hospital after 11 days in the hospital. Duch was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the liver, when Crooks opened fire on an unsuspecting crowd at the rally.
Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief and ardent Trump fan, died while trying to shield his family from a hail of bullets.
