In July, during a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an attempted assassination left two men, Jim Copenhaver and David Dutch, wounded and questioning the adequacy of the Secret Service’s security measures. In an exclusive interview with NBC News, both men recounted their experiences at the rally and expressed their belief that the Secret Service and law enforcement were significantly negligent in their protective duties, not only to the former president but also to innocent bystanders like themselves. Copenhaver, 74, and Dutch, 57, shared that they were excited to be at the rally, enjoying the atmosphere from their seats directly behind Trump, until gunfire disrupted the event.
Copenhaver and Dutch criticized the security arrangements in place on the day of the shooting, with Dutch describing the negligence as “vast” and “terrible.” Both men shared their strong convictions that the security setup was inadequate, which ultimately led to the violent incident. After realizing the gravity of the situation amid the chaos, both suffered physical injuries—Copenhaver was struck in the triceps and abdomen, while Dutch was hit in the liver. This left them both grappling with severe health complications, further exacerbated by ongoing physical limitations and emotional distress.
The attack claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, who died while shielding his family from gunfire, while Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. The shooter, a 20-year-old aiming for the former president from a rooftop, was subsequently killed by a countersniper from the Secret Service. This assassination attempt raised significant concerns regarding the adequacy of the security protocols implemented by the Secret Service, prompting investigations and scrutiny from various lawmakers.
Following the incident, Kimberly Cheatle, who was the head of the Secret Service at the time, faced mounting pressure to resign and ultimately stepped down. An internal investigation revealed substantial flaws in the planning and communication among different law enforcement agencies, which were critical in the failure to prevent the shooting. The report indicated that poor coordination and inadequate preparations could largely be blamed for the tragic event.
Both Copenhaver and Dutch voiced their anger and frustration over the failures that allowed such a violent act to occur in the first place. Dutch, reflecting on the chaos of the moment, emphasized his outrage that such an assassination attempt could happen amidst a defenseless crowd of supporters. He asserted that the situation should have never escalated to the point where a shooter could fire eight shots at a crowded rally without substantial protective measures in place.
As the two men recover from their injuries, they have also begun the process of seeking legal action against those responsible for the security at the rally. Both feel that their lives have been irrevocably altered by the shooting, with ongoing physical and psychological struggles now a part of their daily realities. Copenhaver’s weight loss and reliance on a cane, coupled with Dutch’s inability to return to his normal life or work, emphasize the lasting impact of that fateful day. Their sense of betrayal and disillusionment with the security apparatus meant to protect them has fueled their determination to hold accountable those responsible for the tragic outcomes of the July rally.
