Lawsuits Against Federal Government Following Pennsylvania Rally Shooting

Two men injured during a rally in Pennsylvania, where an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump took place, are now suing the federal government. James Copenhaver and David Dutch claimed in separate lawsuits filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania that the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security exhibited gross negligence in failing to secure the event location in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The lawsuits point to the AGR Complex roof as the position used by Thomas Crooks, the shooter. Both lawsuits list the United States government as the defendant, with Copenhaver and Dutch joined by their wives in the legal action.

“Congressional investigations also reviewed the USSS’s failures on the day of the assassination attempt, including Senate findings which concluded that the USSS’s failures directly led to the shooting complained of herein, including, but not limited to, that the USSS’s conduct consisted of a ‘cascade of preventable failures'”, the lawsuit states.

Dutch sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen, requiring multiple surgeries. Copenhaver was hit by two bullets in the abdomen and left arm. Fragments remain in his body, according to the lawsuit.

The shooting took place on July 13, 2024, during a rally held at the Butler Farm Show grounds. Crooks grazed Trump’s ear with a bullet and was subsequently shot by a Secret Service sniper seconds after the gunfire started from a nearby rooftop. Additionally, Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief present at the event, died while protecting his family.

The lawsuits describe a series of security failures by the Secret Service, highlighting in particular the unsecured roof of the complex despite known vulnerabilities. The legal documents indicate the lack of an effective security plan contributed to the event.

The plaintiffs allege that inadequate communication methods, such as the use of cellphones instead of centralized radio channels, further impeded the transmission of critical safety information. The fragmented command structure rather than a unified command post also hampered communication.

The legal documents note known erratic behavior by Crooks prior to the shooting, including the use of a range finder and raising alarm that led to a search. Plaintiffs argue that the Secret Service has admitted to some of these failures, referencing acknowledgments of communication breakdowns, technological issues, and human errors.

Both lawsuits are seeking $150,000 in damages, including interest and legal fees. Authorities have yet to comment further on this matter.