A popular firearms influencer took to YouTube on Monday to condemn the attempted assassination of former President Trump by suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks, saying he was surprised to learn the suspect was wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt.
“As many of you know, and we were shocked and disturbed to learn, the shooter who attempted to assassinate Mr. Trump was wearing merchandise from my channel, he was wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt,” Matt Carriker said. Number of subscribers: 11 million.
The video has been viewed nearly 4 million times.
“We don’t vet people who buy the shirts,” Carriker said. “I want to make sure those people don’t buy it, wear it or have anything to do with it. I wish he hadn’t been able to buy the shirt, but that’s what happened.”
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Texas-based veterinarian and firearms influencer Matt Carriker spoke out on YouTube on Monday about attempted assassin of President Trump, Thomas Matthew Crooks, wearing one of his T-shirts. (YouTube/Demolition Ranch)
Authorities approached the spot where the suspected gunman fell after the U.S. Secret Service returned fire during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. (Source: Fox News Digital)
A Texas-based veterinarian who runs two firearms channels for gun enthusiasts said he normally doesn’t get involved in political debates but that the news has brought attention to himself and his business.
“I think the difference between him wearing Nike shoes and him wearing my T-shirt is that Nike is a more personal brand to the executives,” he said. “To see my name next to his is just horrible. I don’t want this to happen.”
He added, “No one wants violence on either side of the political spectrum. This channel is not, has never been and will never be created to incite violence or hatred. I do not want any violence or hatred around me. I have a wife and young children and I want them to remain safe and secure.”
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Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The company Facebook account The post included a photo of police officers in camouflage uniforms and carrying semi-automatic rifles standing next to Crooks’ body, with the caption “What the hell?”
The 20-year-old shooter, wearing a T-shirt with an American flag and the word “DEMOLITIA” emblazoned on the right sleeve, opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, hitting Trump in the ear, killing one spectator and wounding two others.
Typical posts on the Demolition Ranch YouTube channel showcase carriers using propellers for target practice, such as “Eating a meal cooked entirely with a gun!!!” and “Can a spinning propeller stop a bullet???”
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Undated photograph of Thomas Matthew Crookes. (Courtesy of AFP)
Carriker writes: X Sunday He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his goods being associated with Crookes.
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“Looking at the articles on this is awful. There are 3 names mentioned: the shooter, Trump and for some reason me.”
