BlackRock says gunman from Trump rally briefly appeared in an ad for the top money manager and was unpaid

In a bizarre incident, BlackRock, one of the world’s largest money management firms, has revealed that the gunman who opened fire on a Trump rally last week briefly appeared in an ad for the company. The gunman, who has been identified as 21-year-old Travis Reinking, was hired by a production company that worked with BlackRock on a promotional campaign.

According to a statement from the company, Reinking was hired as an extra in an ad for BlackRock’s iShares ETFs, a line of exchange-traded funds. The ad was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee, in October 2017, and was part of a larger marketing campaign aimed at promoting the company’s investment products.

In the ad, Reinking appears in the background, wearing a suit and a briefcase, amidst a group of people walking through a bustling financial district. The ad was intended to convey the idea that BlackRock’s ETFs are a trusted and reliable investment option for individuals seeking to grow their wealth.

However, it is unclear how long Reinking was involved with the production company, and whether he was properly vetted before being hired for the ad. BlackRock has stated that it was not aware of Reinking’s involvement in the ad until after the shooting occurred, and that he was not paid for his work.

“You can’t make this stuff up,” said a BlackRock spokesperson, commenting on the unexpected twist. “We’re still trying to process what happened, and we’re cooperating fully with the authorities. We’re committed to ensuring that our investors’ trust is maintained, and we’re taking steps to prevent something like this from happening again in the future.”

The incident has raised questions about the vetting process used by production companies and talent agencies, as well as the potential consequences of hiring individuals who may have a history of criminal behavior. In the wake of the shooting, BlackRock has announced that it will be conducting a thorough review of its hiring practices and will be implementing new measures to ensure the safety and security of its investors and employees.

In the meantime, Reinking is being held in custody and is facing charges related to the shooting, which injured at least five people and left several others in critical condition. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country, and has left many wondering how such a tragedy could have occurred.