‘He bought a shirt. Online’

Boerne Youtuber issues statement after Trump shooter seen wearing his T-shirt

Boerne’s Matt Carriker began the day Sunday knowing he was a household name to the 11 million subscribers to his Youtube channel.

He ended the day, however, on the lips of hundreds of millions worldwide after the shooter who attempted to assassinate presidential candidate Donald Trump Sunday was seen wearing a T-shirt with his brand on it.

“I was watching a CNN article and it says three names: the shooter ’s , Trump’s, and mine. That was not on my 2024 Bingo card,” Carriker said Monday in wrapping up a heartfelt 6-minute video he posted to his Youtube channel.

“It’s a weird deal, to have news (organizations) calling me, asking for interviews,” Carriker said, “asking what I know about the shooter, asking me if I’ve ever had any communication with the shooter, if I’ve ever met him,” he said.

“No. He bought a shirt. Online. And, unfortunately, wore it that day,” Carriker said.

Carriker produces “Demolition Ranch,” a firearms- centered channel, one of three channels he operates.

Over the past decade, he’s amassed a following of 11 million subscribers who tune to watch Carriker display, use and tout the good and bad about hundreds of weapons he’s had the opportunity to own during his life.

“Across the board, across all of my videos, we really don’t talk about politics, we keep politics out of it,” he said. “However, we were obviously kind-of thrust into the conversation after last weekend.”

Carriker said he also owns a T-shirt company here in Boerne, Bunker Branding Co., which markets merchandise associated with Carriker’s Youtube channels.

“As a lot of you guys know, we were shocked and confused to find out, the shooter who tried to assassinate Trump was wearing merch from my channel, wearing a Demolition Ranch T-shirt,” he said.

“That sucked to see that; that was rough.”

Carriker said he can no more vet who buys his shirts online than Nike, or any other clothing manufacturer.

“I wish I could, I’d love to keep people like that from buying, wearing and being associated with that article of clothing,” he said. “This brand is much more personal to me than Nike is to its executives. And so, to see my name next to the shooter ‘s name — oh, it sucks, and I wish we could keep that from happening.”

Carriker began the video by speaking to the family of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who died in the shooting protecting his family from the spray of bullets.

“To the family of the victim who died during the Trump shooting; man, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s terrible, and I hate that that happened to him, and to you guys,” he said.

He also sympathized with the people reportedly hospitalized with injuries from the shooting.

“For those who were injured in the shooting as well, (we’re) wishing you guys a speedy recovery, praying for pain-free recovery for you, both physically and mentally,” he added.

Carriker sought to distance his channel and its focus on guns and weaponry, from the violence of the day.

“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.

“This channel is not about violence, it will never be. We would never condone that at all. I hate that,” he said, adding, “It’s unfortunate, but it’s not what we stand for and it’ll never be what we stand for.”