Written by David Miller.
The building in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Donald Trump and his supporters, changed hands just four months before the tragic event. American Glass Research (AGR), which owned the building, was sold to Indicor, a diversified industrial solutions company, in March 2024. This detail has sparked interest, particularly because of connections to the investment firm BlackRock. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Crooks had appeared in a BlackRock advertisement.
Coincidence or Conspiracy?
In an interview with ABC News, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle disclosed that local police were inside the AGR building when Crooks climbed to the roof to execute his attack. Cheatle explained that no Secret Service agents were stationed on the roof due to its slope and associated safety concerns. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told NBC News that he doesn’t believe any AGR employees were present during the shooting.
Since the incident at Trump’s rally, neither AGR nor Indicor has released public statements about the event. This silence has only fueled speculation about potential connections between the building’s sale and the shooting.
AGR’s Acquisition and Operations
AGR was acquired by Indicor, a company known for its innovative solutions in quality assurance and process automation for global packaging markets. This acquisition fits well with Indicor’s values and focus. Despite the change in ownership, AGR’s operations, headquartered in Butler, PA, will continue unchanged, providing laboratory, online, and automated process control systems and services to glass and plastic packaging manufacturers worldwide.
Doug Wright, Indicor’s CEO, who previously worked with defense contractor Raytheon Technologies, oversees the company’s operations. The formation of Indicor followed the sale of a majority stake in a portfolio of industrial businesses from Roper Technologies to funds affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in November 2022.
Our Take
The recent sale of the AGR building, where Thomas Matthew Crooks carried out his attack, raises many questions. The connections to BlackRock and the absence of public statements from AGR and Indicor add to the intrigue. This event highlights the potential risks and unforeseen consequences associated with corporate acquisitions and changes in ownership, especially when they involve entities with significant political or social implications.
While the sale itself may be purely coincidental, it underscores the importance of transparency and communication from companies involved in such significant transactions. The public deserves clarity to dispel rumors and ensure accountability.
