Former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting incident at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The shooter, initially misidentified, has now been confirmed as Maxwell Yearick, a 30-year-old left-wing extremist from Perry South. Yearick, who voted for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, had a history of violent protests and clashes with law enforcement.
Who Was Maxwell Yearick?
The initial reports had mistakenly identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks and later as Mark Violet. However, it is now confirmed that Maxwell Yearick was the actual perpetrator. Yearick, armed with an AR-15, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
Yearick’s criminal record includes numerous incidents of violence and extremist activities. Over a year ago, he injured several police officers during an Antifa rally in Pennsylvania. He organized protests that resulted in property damage and physical violence against individuals.
Yearick had a history of participating in various protests across the country:
- Pittsburgh, PA (Police Brutality Protest): Yearick assaulted a police officer and an elderly woman with a MAGA sticker on her car during a rally condemning police brutality.
- Washington, D.C. (Anti-Trump March): He voiced opposition to Trump’s policies during a large-scale protest.
- Portland, OR (Civil Rights Demonstration): Yearick participated in a march advocating for civil rights amid tensions with counter-protesters.
- Seattle, WA (Anti-Racism Rally): He allegedly attempted to sexually assault a girl during a rally against racial injustice.
- Minneapolis, MN (George Floyd Protests): Yearick was involved in protests demanding justice for George Floyd, which saw incidents of property damage.
- Chicago, IL (Anti-ICE Protest): He protested against ICE policies.
- New York City, NY (Environmental Activism): Engaged in environmental activism during a peaceful protest.
- Los Angeles, CA (Women’s Rights March): Yearick supported women’s rights and threatened Trump during the march.
- Atlanta, GA (Voting Rights Demonstration): He participated in a protest emphasizing voting rights.
- Boston, MA (Anti-White Supremacy Rally): Yearick attended a rally denouncing white supremacy, leading to property damage and arrests.
During Trump’s rally, gunshots rang out, causing chaos. Trump was immediately escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents after a bullet grazed the upper part of his right ear. The FBI initially identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. However, a viral video and subsequent investigations revealed that the actual shooter was Maxwell Yearick.
In the video, a man identified as Crooks claimed the authorities “got the wrong guy.” This led to further investigation and the eventual identification of Yearick through biometric confirmation.
The Secret Service is now probing how Yearick, armed with an AR-15, managed to get close enough to shoot Trump. Videos on social media showed Yearick’s body on the roof of a nearby manufacturing plant, less than 164 yards from where Trump was speaking.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked debates about security measures at political events and the ongoing threat of political violence. Trump’s campaign has called for increased security at future rallies.
Maxwell Yearick, a known left-wing extremist with a history of violence, was the shooter in the Butler rally incident. His actions have reignited discussions on political extremism and security in the United States. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, the focus now shifts to preventing such incidents in the future.
this the hardest shit i ever seen pic.twitter.com/ASU62cdN2K
— Corn ✧⍣ (@upblissed) July 13, 2024