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BlackRock has pulled an ad that included Thomas Crooks, 20, who shot Donald Trump, killed a Trump supporter, and injured two others on Saturday evening at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“In 2022, 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,” a company spokesperson stated. “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.”
The 30-second video focused on a teacher at the high school, with Crooks sitting in a classroom. The video went viral on X and other social media platforms Sunday.
“As our leadership team communicated to colleagues last night, BlackRock strongly condemns political violence of any kind and will do our part to promote civility and unity in the country,” the company stated.
"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," BlackRock said in a statement. The company added that it "condemns political violence of any kind."
The Secret Service fatally shot Crooks, whose motive for opening fire remains unknown. The FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.
BlackRock is a major investor in gun companies, including Sturm Ruger and American Outdoor Brand, the owner of Smith & Wesson.
In quarterly earnings reported Monday, the world’s largest money manager said its assets under management had swollen to a record $10.6 trillion.
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