Background and incident
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who shot and injured former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, had briefly appeared in a BlackRock advertisement, the company disclosed on Sunday. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, confirmed that Crooks was an unpaid participant in the ad, filmed in 2022 at Bethel Park High School, where Crooks graduated the same year. The company has since decided to remove the ad from circulation and provide the footage to the authorities.
BlackRock’s response
In a statement, BlackRock condemned the attack, which resulted in one death and two critical injuries. “The assassination attempt on former President Trump is abhorrent. We’re thankful former President Trump wasn’t seriously injured and are thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed,” the company said, as reported by Fortune.
FBI investigation
The FBI, which has identified Thomas M. Crooks as the suspect, is investigating the incident as an attempted assassination. Officials have stated that Crooks acted alone and have not found any specific ideological motivations, mental health issues, or threatening language on his social media accounts. Crooks, a registered Republican, had previously donated $15 to a Democratic political action committee when he was 17.
Employment and weapon details
At the time of the shooting, Crooks was employed as a dietary aide at the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The center confirmed that Crooks had no prior concerns and passed his background check. The weapon used an AR-style 5.56 caliber rifle, was legally purchased, with officials indicating that Crooks’ father had bought it. A suspicious device found in Crooks’ vehicle was inspected and rendered safe by bomb technicians.
BlackRock, which reports earnings on Monday, has faced scrutiny for holding shares in gun manufacturers through its index funds. The FBI continues to investigate all aspects of the case, ensuring a thorough examination of the circumstances and motivations behind the attack.