One of the men critically wounded at Trump’s deadly 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-altering injuries” after he was struck by errant bullets fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was perched on a nearby rooftop taking aim at former President Trump at the July 13 event.
He was one of three rally-goers shot and the last surviving victim to be released from the hospital.
The retired grandfather expressed gratitude for the “outpouring of support” he received while recovering at Allegheny General Hospital in a statement from his family, KDKA reported.
“Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care,” the family said in their statement.
Copenhaver has also kept Trump — whose ear was grazed by a bullet as he stood on stage — and the other rally victims in his thoughts and prayers.
“He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all,” the outlet writes, with his family asking for privacy while he recovers “from this horrible, senseless, and unnecessary act of violence.”
Moon Township supervisor Al Quaye told KDKA that he was in disbelief when he learned Copenhaver had been shot, and said he was a regular fixture at local board meetings.
“Jim’s a super nice guy, and I couldn’t believe it happened to him,” Quaye said.
The other surviving victim, Marine veteran David Dutch, 57, was released on Wednesday after an 11-day stay at Allegheny General. He was struck twice — once in the chest and once in the liver — when Crooks opened fire on the unsuspecting rally crowd.
Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief and a devoted fan of Trump, died shielding his family from a hail of bullets.