BlackRock takes down ad featuring Donald Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks after it goes viral

After former POTUS Donald Trump was allegedly shot during a rally, feds identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who reportedly appeared in a 2022 ad for investment company BlackRock. The ad, where Crooks could be seen along with a number of unpaid students, was filmed at Bethel Park High School in Pennsylvania, as reported by the Daily Voice.

Trigger warning: The article contains references to shooting. Readers' discretion is advised.

While the FBI didn't release the photos of the suspected shooter, netizens reportedly dug out photos of the person. Investigative journalist and far-right activist Laura Loomer reportedly shared the video where viewers saw Thomas Matthew Crooks in the BlackRock advertisement. Since the time the ad went viral, the company received much attention.

It has further been revealed that BlackRock themselves had taken down the 2022 ad with Crooks in it, and had condemned the violence as well.

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BlackRock revealed that while they had removed the 2022 ad, law enforcement officials could access it

Amid the chaos caused by the recent alleged assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, attention drifted to BlackRock, the world's biggest money-managing company. In the ad, the suspected shooter Thomas Crooks could be seen sitting on the front row while the football coach Brian Dellao was teaching.

After taking down the ad to prevent further circulation, a statement was issued by the company. In it, the spokesperson said:

"The assassination attempt on former President Trump is abhorrent. We're thankful former President Trump wasn't seriously injured, and thinking about all the innocent bystanders and victims of this awful act, especially the person who was killed."

The company, however, had not revealed what the ad was about or anything else related to it. It had been reported that more focus was shifted to the company post its viral ad. They have added that while they have removed the ad for the public, it would still be accessible to law enforcement.

The Week stated that BlackRock was supposedly the largest shareholder in a company that specializes in making guns. According to the outlet, the company was also responsible for manufacturing the gun which was used in the 2018 Florida school massacre.

The company ended up facing massive media scrutiny. This prompted them to hold meetings with the gun makers to discuss the business procedures that they followed.

Coming back to the latest attack on Donald Trump, an account allegedly associated with the suspected shooter Crooks, was discovered on Discord. BlackRock said in a statement that they had suspended the account for the violation of their "off-platform behavior policy."

While the FBI had determined the act to be that of domestic terrorism, any firm motive couldn't be confirmed as of now. Crooks allegedly shot at the former President from a terrace, which was situated about 500 meters away from the stage.

He was later killed, along with another bystander. Some people sustained injuries as well, as a result of the shooting.

Post the incident, Joe Biden also warned people about the possible political issues and simultaneously urged people to be more calm. As reported by NDTV World, he said:

"Politics must never be a literal battlefield, God forbid a killing field."

The outlet also reported that according to the US markets, the former President might as well gain an upper hand, after the alleged assassination attempt.