Trump safe after being targeted in second apparent assassination attempt

The FBI is currently investigating a second apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, which occurred at his Florida golf club on Sunday. Fortunately, Trump was unharmed during the incident, according to his campaign. This incident marks the second such attempt on Trump’s life within a two-month period.

The situation unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET when Secret Service agents fired at a suspect who was found hiding with a rifle in the bushes along the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club. During this time, Trump was on the golf course, moving between the fifth and sixth holes. A Secret Service agent stationed ahead of Trump on the course spotted a rifle barrel protruding from the fence and engaged the individual, who was estimated to be 300 to 500 yards from Trump.

The suspect fled the scene in a car, but a witness’s timely report and a photograph of the vehicle’s tag assisted law enforcement in tracking it down. The car was located driving north on I-95 in Martin County, the neighboring county to Palm Beach.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County praised the witness who provided crucial information. “We were able to catch a witness who saw the suspect fleeing and taking a picture of the black Nissan and its tag,” Bradshaw said. Authorities promptly informed the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, which then detained the suspect. The witness was able to identify him without issue.

The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a self-employed affordable housing builder from Hawaii, has attracted attention for his outspoken political views on social media. Routh had previously criticized Trump and shown strong support for Ukraine, even traveling there following Russia’s invasion. He was seen in Kyiv’s Independence Square in May 2022 and later during a rally supporting Ukrainian troops.

The FBI is expanding its investigation internationally to understand Routh’s background and online activity, which involved platforms based outside the United States. Law enforcement officials have recovered an AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera from the scene.

Trump was playing golf on the eastern edge of the course when the incident occurred, and the event was a last-minute addition to his schedule, according to sources. This assassination attempt follows a similar event in Butler, Pennsylvania, two months prior, which had already drawn scrutiny towards the Secret Service.

In response to the incident, the Secret Service confirmed that Trump was unharmed. “Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a possible attempted assassination shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday at Trump International Golf Club,” said Rafael Barros, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Miami field office.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe is heading to Florida to address the situation. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida announced that the state would conduct its own investigation into the thwarted assassination attempt. Additionally, a congressional task force investigating the earlier attempt is requesting a briefing with the Secret Service.

Trump’s campaign issued a statement confirming that he was safe following the gunshots. The former president reassured his supporters through a fundraising 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!”

Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the situation and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. Biden emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the Secret Service has all necessary resources for protecting the former president, while Harris condemned political violence and stressed the importance of preventing such incidents from escalating further.

Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, confirmed that Trump is in good spirits following the incident. “I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance said.

Senator Lindsey Graham also expressed his support, stating, “He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”

The story has been updated to clarify that Ric Bradshaw is the Palm Beach County sheriff and to include the latest developments in the investigation.