New Details Emerge On Trump Rally Shooter, Victims

PITTSBURGH, PA — James Copenhaver, one of the shooting victims in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, sustained "life-altering injuries," according to his family.

Copenhaver, 74, of Moon, remains in critical but stable condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, the family said in a statement released Tuesday.

Copenhaver was one of three spectators shot at the Trump rally in Butler County. Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Butler County, died while shielding family members from shots fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was perched on a nearby rooftop. The other spectator, David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, is in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Trump sustained an ear wound. Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, was shot and killed during the incident by a U.S. Secret Service agent.

The Copenhaver family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support for James Copenhaver as he recovers from his wounds.

"Jim would like to especially thank the first responders, medics, and hospital staff who have provided him with initial and continuing care," the statement said. "Additionally, Jim would like to express his thoughts and prayers for the other victims, their families, and President Trump. He prays for a safe and speedy recovery for them all."

The statement continued: "The Copenhaver family would like to thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support as Jim and his family recover from this horrible, senseless and unnecessary act of violence."

The family said no other information would be released at this time.

As of Wednesday morning, $6.2 million had been raised in two separate fundraising efforts for the three spectators who were shot. A Trump-authorized GoFundMe campaign has raised $5.1 million for all three shooting victims. A second GoFundMe fundraiser to benefit the Comperatore family has raised $1.1 million.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear. The FBI has completed its search of Crooks' home and vehicle. The bureau also has accessedCrooks' phone and continues to analyze his electronic devices.

Crooks was armed with an AR-15 rifle that had been legally purchased by his father, and his car parked at the rally contained explosives. A transmitter was found near his body.

Crooks was employed as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation center near his home. He was scheduled to work on Saturday but requested the day off, telling his boss he had "something to do," CNN reported on Tuesday night. He told coworkers he would be back to work on Sunday.

Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition the day of the attack. He also purchased a 5-foot ladder at a Home Depot but did not use it to get to the roof. Citing law enforcement sources, ABC News reported on Wednesday that Crooks climbed over an air conditioning unit adjacent to the building to gain rooftop access.

Investigators also found a tactical vest in Crooks' vehicle and are puzzled as to why he did not don it.

Matthew Crooks, the shooter's father, told investigators he believed his son took the rifle Saturday to go to a nearby shooting range and believed he would be back around 1 p.m., according to CNN. Matthew Crooks called police at around 11 p.m. to report Thomas Crooks missing.

Questions abound over how Crooks was able to carry out the attack.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General web page on Wednesday stated that it has started an evaluation of the Secret Service's "process for securing former President Trump's campaign event." The mission areas listed on the website are counter-terrorism and homeland threats.

While the inquiry into the shooting remains in its early stages, the FBI stated it has conducted nearly 100 interviews of law enforcement personnel, event attendees and other witnesses.

The bureau also has received hundreds of digital media tips that include photos and videos taken at the scene and continues to review incoming tips. Anyone with information that could assist the the investigation is urged to submit it online at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

President Joe Biden has stated there will be an independent review of the incident and two Congressional hearings on the assassination attempt are scheduled for next week.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is expected to appear at a House Oversight Committee hearing on July 22. Cheatle, as well as Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray, are expected to appear at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on July 23.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, told Fox News on Wednesday he will create a task force to consolidate Congressional investigations into the rally's security failures. He also called for Cheatle's resignation.