Men Shot at Rally Sue Federal Government Over Security Failures

Two men who were shot during an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally are now suing the federal government.

In a lawsuit filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, plaintiffs James Copenhaver and David Dutch claim that the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acted negligently by failing to secure the event venue in Butler, Pennsylvania. Specifically, they point to the roof of the AGR complex, which was used as a vantage point by the shooter, Thomas Crooks.

The lawsuit names the U.S. government as a defendant and includes the wives of the plaintiffs in the action. It mentions findings from a Congressional inquiry suggesting that the Secret Service’s lapses on the day of the attempt contributed directly to the shootings, describing their actions as a “chain of preventable failures.”

According to the complaint, Dutch suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and underwent several surgeries, while Copenhaver was shot twice in the abdomen and left arm, still carrying fragments from the incident.

The shooting took place on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show. Crooks fired a shot that grazed Trump’s ear before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.

Tragically, Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief, lost his life while trying to protect his family during the chaos.

The lawsuit emphasizes the Secret Service’s failure to secure the complex’s roof, despite prior warnings about its vulnerability. It states that the shooting was entirely preventable and cites failures not only on the day of the incident but also in the lead-up to it.

The complaint also criticizes the agency for establishing multiple, uncoordinated command centers, which made sharing critical information difficult. It claims that agents relied on inadequate communication methods, such as using cell phones to send messages, which hindered safety information transfer.

Legal filings indicate that authorities noticed Crooks behaving suspiciously before the shooting, including using rangefinders, prompting searches. The lawsuit argues that the Secret Service indirectly acknowledged these serious failures.

In total, both men are seeking $150,000 in damages, along with interest and attorney fees. The legal action comes amidst ongoing discussions about how to improve security protocols in the wake of this incident.

Fox News has reached out to the White House, the Secret Service, and DHS for their responses regarding the lawsuit.