Exclusive: PITTSBURGH — James Copenhaver, one of two victims seriously injured in the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump, is “saddened” by the “political division” in the United States, his lawyer said in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
The 74-year-old Copenhaver said the shooting, which left him hospitalized for weeks with wounds to his arm and abdomen, was an “unnecessary” tragedy, according to attorney Joseph Feldman of the Law Offices of Max C. Feldman in Pittsburgh. Feldman testified on Copenhaver’s behalf as he continued his recovery.
“Overall he just wants people to understand how unnecessary it was and how politically divided the country is. [that] “People are literally showing up to rallies exercising their First Amendment rights and they start firing bullets into the crowd,” Feldman said.
“He’s 74 years old. He’s been in this country a long time. He’s seen a lot of things that happen in this country. And this is certainly one of the worst things he’s experienced as an American. He wants people to understand that it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Video taken from the perspective of the victim of the Trump assassination attempt shows a figure moving across a rooftop moments before the shooting
Pictured is James Copenhaver and his wife. (James Copenhaver)
Copenhaver also thanked the medical staff, emergency responders and police officers who assisted him after he was injured at the rally, and Feldman said the 74-year-old has a “long road” to recovery.
According to Feldman, the outgoing president also made it clear that he was “not afraid to voice his support for Trump and that he will not let those who disagree with him be silenced or prevented from exercising their rights.”
The Copenhaver, Moon Township resident, was at the rally about an hour away from his hometown with his best friend and was standing to Trump’s left when shots rang out.
Trump shooting: A timeline of the assassination attempt
Attorney Joseph Feldman speaks at a Pittsburgh hotel on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, about his client James Copenhaver, who was shot and killed by attempted Trump assassin Thomas Crooks on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
Video taken by Copenhaver from the rally at 6:08 p.m. on July 13 shows a figure moving across the roof of the AGR building where gunman Thomas Crooks fired his gun, minutes before shots rang out at 6:11 p.m.
Family of Corey Comperatore speaks out after dead firefighter impersonated on Facebook
Copenhaver, Trump and most of the rally attendees to the left of the crowd turned to look at immigration statistics projected on a big screen to the left of the stage as the shot was fired, just as Copenhaver looked down at his arm and noticed he was bleeding.
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“He apparently heard or saw something go by them, which we believe was a bullet, and he … looked down at his arm … and felt pain initially, but didn’t even realize at that point that he’d been shot a second time,” Feldman explained. “He said he was pretty shocked at the time. It was chaos. People were screaming. Nobody really knew what was going on right away.”
Feldman said the 74-year-old survivor still can’t comprehend the gravity of the situation and the part of history he was “physically a part of.”
Trump assassination attempt: FBI says gunman climbed into air conditioning unit, then across roof to location
James Copenhaver is recovering after being shot during an assassination attempt at a rally for former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. (Allegheny Health Network)
After the shooting, he was able to speak to President Trump by phone from his hospital bed.
“It was a very pleasant conversation. He was like, [Trump] “He was in the room with us,” Feldman said. “He was like talking to a friend…someone you could carry on a conversation with. It was a very smooth conversation. He overall enjoyed the call very much and I hope we can talk on the phone again someday, or meet in person.”
Marine David Duch escaped assassination attempt despite being shot, friends say
Attorney Joseph Feldman said his client, 74-year-old James Copenhaver, was “not afraid to voice his support for Trump” after he was shot at a rally for the former president. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
For now, Copenhaver and his wife are focused on her husband’s recovery and are grateful for the support they’ve received from friends, family, medical staff and even strangers across the country who have sent letters. Feldman said the couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary while her husband was still in the hospital.
David Duch, 57, also sustained serious injuries in the assassination attempt and was released from Allegheny General Hospital last week, according to a press release. Corey Comperatore, 50, a husband, father and former fire chief for the Buffalo Township Fire Department, died a hero while protecting his family from gunfire.
Trump assassination attempt: Texts show officers knew about Thomas Crooks 90 minutes before shooting
David Duch was shot and wounded as he walked out of a Trump rally. (Facebook/Beaver County Republican Committee)
Corey Comperatore was killed in an assassination attempt on former President Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Facebook)
The FBI is investigating the motive of the gunman, Thomas Crooks. The FBI said Monday that Crooks, 20, had climbed up an air conditioning unit and ducts on the side of the AGR building and gained access to the roof. At the time, Crooks was carrying an AR-15-style rifle with a folding stock and a rangefinder.
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According to text messages released by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, officers were made aware of a suspicious person near the rally about 90 minutes before the shooting.
