Key facts
- Two men shot at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, are suing the federal government.
- The lawsuits name the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security as defendants.
- Plaintiffs allege "egregious failures" and negligence in securing the event premises, specifically a rooftop used by the shooter.
- The lawsuits cite a "cascade of preventable failures" by the Secret Service, including communication and security protocol lapses.
- Both plaintiffs are seeking $150,000 in damages, plus interest and attorney fees.
Two men, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, who were injured during an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, have filed lawsuits against the federal government. The suits, lodged in the Western District of Pennsylvania, name the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as defendants. Plaintiffs allege gross negligence and a "cascade of preventable failures" by the Secret Service, which they claim allowed the shooter, Thomas Crooks, to gain access to a rooftop vantage point overlooking the event. The lawsuits detail alleged lapses in security protocols, communication issues, and a failure to adequately secure the premises, despite prior warnings about the vulnerability of the complex roof. Crooks, who grazed Trump's ear before being killed by a Secret Service sniper, had reportedly been observed acting erratically and using a range finder prior to the attack. The legal filings assert that the Secret Service's actions, or lack thereof, directly led to the shooting. Both Copenhaver and Dutch are seeking $150,000 in damages, along with interest and attorney fees. The lawsuits reference congressional investigations and Senate findings that also concluded the Secret Service experienced significant failures on the day of the incident. The Secret Service has reportedly acknowledged operational failures, including communication breakdowns and human error, and has taken disciplinary actions against some agents.