Two men who were shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, have filed lawsuits against the federal government. James Copenhaver and David Dutch allege that the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were negligent in securing the event on July 13, 2024. The lawsuits, filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, claim that the Secret Service failed to secure the roof of the AGR Complex, which was used by the shooter, Thomas Crooks.
The lawsuits name the United States government as the defendant, with both men joined in their legal action by their wives. They reference congressional investigations that found failures by the Secret Service contributed to the shooting, describing it as a "cascade of preventable failures."
Dutch was shot in the abdomen and underwent multiple surgeries, while Copenhaver sustained injuries from two bullets and has fragments lodged in his body. The shooting occurred during a campaign rally, where Crooks fired at Trump, grazing him, before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
The lawsuits detail alleged failures by the Secret Service, including inadequate communication methods and the establishment of fragmented command centers instead of a unified post. They also note that Crooks exhibited erratic behavior prior to the shooting, which was observed by authorities.
The plaintiffs seek $150,000 in damages, along with interest and attorney fees. Fox News has reached out to the White House, Secret Service, and DHS for comments.
