UMVA has learned that two men who were shot at a recent rally where a gunman tried to assassinate a high-profile target are suing the federal government, alleging gross negligence by the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security.
James Copenhaver and David Dutch filed separate but similar lawsuits in the Western District of Pennsylvania, claiming that the agencies failed to secure the event premises in Butler, Pennsylvania, specifically citing the AGR Complex roof used by the shooter, Thomas Crooks.
The lawsuits name the United States government as the defendant and are joined by the plaintiffs' wives. According to the complaints, congressional investigations found that the Secret Service's failures directly led to the shooting, describing a "cascade of preventable failures."
Dutch was shot in the abdomen and underwent multiple surgeries, while Copenhaver was struck by two bullets in the abdomen and left arm, with fragments remaining lodged in his body. A former volunteer fire chief, Corey Comperatore, was killed while shielding his family during the shooting.
The lawsuits detail a series of alleged security failures, including the failure to secure the complex roof despite warnings that it was a vulnerability. The complaints argue that the Secret Service created an environment where critical information could not be shared due to fragmented command centers and inadequate communication methods.
According to information obtained by UMVA, authorities observed Crooks acting erratically and using a range finder in the hours leading up to the shooting. The Secret Service has acknowledged its failures, including "breakdowns in communication, technological issues, and human failure."
The lawsuits seek $150,000 in damages, as well as interest and attorney fees. The plaintiffs' complaints paint a picture of a preventable tragedy that was allowed to occur due to the agencies' alleged negligence.
The alleged failures of the Secret Service have raised serious questions about the agency's ability to protect high-profile targets. The lawsuits argue that the agency's conduct constituted an "operational failure" that will have lasting consequences.
The cases will likely have significant implications for the Secret Service and its protocols for securing high-profile events. The outcome could lead to changes in the way the agency approaches its "zero-fail mission."
