Trump Rally Shooting: Debunking False Claims & Identifying The Shooter - Latest News

Crystal Crooks 10 May 2025

Could the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, have been a case of mistaken identity? Despite official reports identifying Thomas Matthew Crooks as the shooter, a maelstrom of misinformation and speculation continues to swirl, fueled by social media and the echoes of past controversies.

The chaotic events of that day, etched forever in the annals of American political history, saw a hail of gunfire erupt during a campaign rally. The target: Donald J. Trump. The location: Butler, Pennsylvania. The date: July 13, 2024. The aftermath was swift and brutal, a mix of fear, confusion, and the inevitable rush to judgment. Law enforcement sources, speaking to CNN, reported that the shooter was positioned on a building rooftop just outside the venue, a chilling detail that underscores the calculated nature of the attack.

Almost immediately, the narrative fractured. Social media, the modern-day town square, became a battleground of competing claims, rumors, and outright falsehoods. Two videos surfaced, verified by The New York Times, which appeared to depict the suspected shooter. However, the fog of war, and the deliberate dissemination of disinformation, quickly muddied the waters.

One of the most persistent threads in this tapestry of speculation involved the name Maxwell Yearick. Viral posts, spreading like wildfire across various platforms, misidentified Yearick as the gunman. This claim, though repeatedly debunked by authorities, managed to gain traction, highlighting the power of misinformation in the digital age. It's a testament to how quickly narratives can be constructed and disseminated, often with devastating consequences.

Adding to the complexity, it's important to clarify that Thomas Matthew Crooks has been identified by federal investigators as the lone shooter. However, the persistence of alternative narratives, particularly those circulating on social media, warrants closer examination. The events surrounding the shooting, and the subsequent investigations, are a complex web, one that requires careful navigation to separate fact from fiction.

One of the initial alternative theories proposed by former Trump advisor Roger Stone claimed an antifa activist named Matthew Yearick was the shooter. Despite being debunked, the name was still being linked to the shooting.

In the wake of the shooting, another name, Maxwell Yearick, surfaced, sparking yet another round of speculation. This case highlights the speed at which misinformation can spread, the role of online communities in shaping public perception, and the need for responsible reporting, particularly in moments of crisis.

The investigation itself has faced scrutiny. The speed with which Crooks was identified and the evidence presented is under review, as is standard practice in such high-profile cases. While authorities have been adamant, the persistent questioning of the narrative underscores the deep divisions within the American political landscape.

The incident, which took place on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, sent shockwaves across the nation. The fact that a former president was targeted in such a brazen attack has raised questions about security, political climate, and the increasing threat of political violence. As investigations continue and further details emerge, the truth about what happened that day will undoubtedly be revealed, but the shadows of doubt and speculation will likely linger for quite some time.

The aftermath of the attack has been characterized by misinformation. Posts online circulated swiftly, some misidentifying individuals and others promoting conspiracy theories. It's a stark reminder of the dangers of the spread of false information and its impact on the narrative of such an important event.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Maxwell Yearick
Date of Birth	(Information unavailable)
Residence	Reportedly missing since the day of the rally, last known to be in Arizona
Previous Involvement	Sentenced to prison over an altercation with police officers at a Donald Trump rally in 2016.
Links to Shooting	Misidentified online as the shooter in the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Authorities have not linked him to the July 13 shooting.
Known Associations	Roger Stone, a former consultant for Trump, cited unnamed sources in claiming that Yearick was the shooter.
Current Status	Missing
Alleged Actions	Viral posts and social media speculation incorrectly identified him as the shooter of Donald Trump
Official Involvement	Authorities have not linked him to the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania
Reference Website	Example Website (Hypothetical)

The rapid spread of these narratives underscores the challenges of information in the digital age and the importance of critical thinking. The event at Butler is a microcosm of the broader issues, reminding us to treat all information with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially in the face of emotionally charged events.

In 2016, various media outlets reported that Yearick, who does not resemble Crooks, was arrested outside a Pittsburgh rally. This adds to the complexities of the situation, proving the degree of misidentification that took place in the aftermath of the attack.

The shooter was positioned on a building rooftop just outside the venue where former President Donald Trump was holding his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Someone yelled "AK" when they saw the shooter, which demonstrates the chaotic and volatile environment that was present during the attack. Then bullets starting going over head of the crowd.