The US Republican presidential candidate and former President, Donald Trump, was the target of what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination,” at his golf course in Florida on Sunday.
US Secret Service agents foiled the attempted assassination, firing on a gunman near Trump’s golf club before arresting him later. The apparent attempt came just 9 weeks after the former president survived another shooting at a campaign rally, reported the Associated Press (AP).
Assassination Attempt
On Sunday, while Trump was playing golf at his club in West Palm Beach, Secret Service agents spotted the muzzle of an AK-47-style rifle poking out of the shrubbery that borders the course, 400 yards away from Trump.
When an agent fired, the gunman dropped his rifle and left other items. He fled in an SUV, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. A witness saw him running and took a picture of his car. Later, law enforcement arrested him in a neighboring county.
Bradshaw added that because Trump is not in office, law enforcement did not surround the whole golf course. “Because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” he said.
Arresting the Suspect
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, owner of a small construction company. He is a frequent critique of Trump on social media and a pro-Ukraine activist.
Voter records show he registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina in 2012. He recently voted during the state’s Democratic Party primary in March 2024.
Additionally, police arrested him in 2002 after he put his hand on a gun and barricaded himself inside a roofing business.
According to Martin County Sheriff, William Snyder, the suspect “had a calm, flat demeanor and showed little emotion” when law enforcement detained him.
Trump’s Reaction
After the apparent assassination attempt, the Republican presidential candidate told his supporters that he is safe. He said in an email: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”
Trump further added: “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” He later thanked Secret Service and law enforcement for keeping him safe. The former President returned to his private club Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. It is not clear yet how this incident will affect his schedule or campaign plans.
Second Assassination Attempt
The FBI is leading the investigation and working to determine any motive. In a statement, the bureau said that the “FBI has responded to West Palm Beach, Florida, and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.”
In July, Trump was the target of a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The FBI confirmed the shooting was an assassination attempt and identified and neutralized the gunman. Since then, Trump has had a stepped-up security protection.
Biden-Harris Response
After the news, US President, Joe Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris, have been briefed on the apparent assassination attempt and are both “relieved to know” Trump is safe, according to a White House statement.
“The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Harris, wrote in a post on X that she had been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near Trump. “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Trump’s Democratic opponent in the presidential election said.
