Southwest
Demolition Ranch YouTuber 'shocked and confused' to see Trump shooter wearing his T-shirt
A popular firearms influencer spoke out Monday on YouTube condemning Thomas Matthew Crooks’ attempted assassination of former president Trump and said he was stunned to learn the shooter was wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt.
“As a lot of you guys know — and we were shocked and confused to find this out — the shooter who tried to assassinate Trump was wearing merch from my channel, wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt,” Matt Carriker told his 11 million subscribers.
The video has racked up nearly 4 million views.
“We don’t vet the people who buy our shirts,” Carriker said. “I would love to keep people like that from buying, wearing, being associated with that article of clothing…I wish he couldn’t get a shirt, but it happened.” he said.
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Texas-based veterinarian and firearms influencer Matt Carriker spoke out on YouTube Monday over Trump would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks wearing his T-shirt. (YouTube/Demolition Ranch)
Authorities approach the suspected gunman from where he fell after the U.S. Secret Service returned fire after an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
The Texas-based veterinarian, who runs two firearms channels for gun enthusiasts, said he usually steers clear of political discussions, but the news has thrust him and his business into the spotlight.
“I think the difference in a gunman wearing a pair of Nike shoes and a gunman wearing my T-shirt is this brand is much more personal to me than Nike is to its executives,” he said. “To see my name next to the shooter’s name — oh, it sucks and I wish, I wish we could keep that from happening.”
He added, “No matter what side you’re on politically, none of us want violence. This channel was never meant to incite violence or hate. It never has, it isn’t, and it never will be a channel that does that. I don’t want any violence or hate anywhere around me. I have a wife and little kids. I want them to be safe and secure forever.”
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The company’s Facebook account featured a photo of a law-enforcement officer, wearing a camouflage uniform and holding a semiautomatic, standing over Crooks’ body with the caption, “What the Hell.”
On the right sleeve of the 20-year-old shooter’s T-shirt is an American flag and the word “DEMOLITIA.” At a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Crooks opened fire, striking Trump’s ear, killing a spectator and wounding two others.
Typical posts on Demolition Ranch’s YouTube channel range from “Eating A Meal Cooked ONLY With A GUN!!!” and “Can a Spinning Propeller Stop a Bullet???” featuring Carriker using a propeller as target practice.
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An undated image of Thomas Matthew Crooks. (Handout via AFP)
Carriker wrote on X Sunday that he was in disbelief seeing his merchandise connected with Crooks.
“Sucks seeing articles about this and they are naming 3 people,” he posted. “The shooter, trump and somehow me.”
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A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
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