By The FBI is investigating what it calls an “apparent assassination attempt” on former President Donald Trump, after shots were fired near his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time when a Secret Service agent patrolling ahead of Trump spotted a rifle barrel protruding from shrubbery near the course’s perimeter fence. The gunman was approximately 400 to 500 yards from where Trump was golfing.
“The agent immediately engaged the individual, who then fled the scene,” Bradshaw stated at a news conference. An AK-47 type assault rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro device were recovered at the scene.
A witness photographed a black Nissan SUV fleeing the area, leading to a coordinated effort with neighboring Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was apprehended after what Martin County Sheriff William Snyder described as a “felony stop” to avoid a high-speed chase.
Snyder told local media that Routh was unarmed when taken into custody and displayed a “calm, flat demeanor.” The suspect reportedly did not question why he was being pulled over.
Trump was safely evacuated to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. In a fundraising email, he assured supporters, “I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
This incident comes just nine weeks after Trump survived another assassination attempt, raising serious concerns about candidate protection ahead of the November election.
The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed on the situation. Biden stated he had directed his team “to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety.”
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, wrote on social media platform X, “Violence has no place in America,” expressing relief that Trump was unharmed.
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance reported speaking with Trump, describing him as “amazingly, in good spirits.” Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, also confirmed communicating with the former president after the incident.
As the FBI leads the investigation, questions are being raised about the security measures in place for presidential candidates and the potential impact of such incidents on the electoral process.
The attack marks the second serious security breach involving Trump in recent months, following a July incident where he was grazed by a bullet during a rally in Pennsylvania. That event led to the resignation of the Secret Service director amid bipartisan congressional pressure.
As the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies, this latest security incident underscores the volatile political climate and the ongoing challenges in protecting high-profile political figures.
