BlackRock Pulls Trump Rally Shooter's TV Commercial

PITTSBURGH, PA — Investment megafirm BlackRock has pulled a TV commercial that briefly features an appearance by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump over the weekend.

The 30-second commercial was taped two years ago at Bethel Park High School, which Crooks attended and graduated from in 2022.

Crooks was not the focus of the commercial, which centered around a teacher at the school, CNN reported. The video can be found on X and other social media platforms but no longer will be seen on TV.

"We ran an ad featuring a teacher from Bethel Park High School in which several unpaid students briefly appeared in the background, including Thomas Matthew Crooks," BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, said in a statement. "We will make all video footage available to the appropriate authorities, and we have removed the video from circulation out of respect for the victims."

Trump's ear was wounded in the shooting at a rally in Butler County Saturday in which one spectator died and two others were wounded. Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Butler County, was killed. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon also were shot; both are in stable condition.

Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, was shot and killed during the incident by a U.S. Secret Service sniper.