A Texas YouTuber who runs a popular gun enthusiast channel is distancing himself from the gunman. fired at former President Donald Trump during a rally Saturday in western Pennsylvania.
Photos confirmed by NBC News show the shooter has been identified by law enforcement Thomas Matthew Crookswearing a Demolition Ranch shirt day of shooting. The images began circulating after Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, was killed by at least one Secret Service shooter.
Approximately six minute video Monday, Matt Carriker, who runs the Demolition Ranch YouTube channel, said, “We were shocked and confused when we found out. The shooter who attempted to assassinate Trump was wearing merchandise from my channel, a Demolition Ranch shirt. And that was bad to see.”
“Yeah, that was rough,” he said.
Carriker said he keeps politics out of his videos and doesn’t support violence on his channel.
“This channel was never intended to incite violence or hatred,” he said. “It never was, never will be. I don’t want violence or hate anywhere around me.”
The YouTuber, who has more than 11 million subscribers, said it’s impossible to verify everyone who buys one of his shirts, explaining that they are made in his hometown and shipped worldwide. The shirts retail for about $30.
“I wish I could. I would very much like to prevent such people from buying, wearing, or being associated with that dress. I wish he didn’t get a shirt, but that’s what happened,” he said, adding: “It’s really bad to see my name next to the shooter’s name. And I wish I could prevent it.”