WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) On Sunday, Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI described as an “attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. This incident occurred just nine weeks after another attempt on his life. Trump has confirmed he is safe and well, and authorities have taken a suspect into custody.
Secret Service agents stationed a few holes away from Trump noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle protruding from the bushes, approximately 400 yards from the former president. An agent fired at the gunman, who dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, abandoning the weapon, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera. The suspect was later apprehended by law enforcement in a neighboring county, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
This attempted assassination is the latest unsettling event in a tumultuous campaign year. On July 13, Trump survived a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear. Following the incident, Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, clearing the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
The recent attempt has raised new concerns about the Secret Service’s protective measures, especially after their previous failure to prevent the July shooting.
The man in custody, identified as Ryan Routh, 58, showed a calm demeanor when apprehended, according to Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. Routh, who previously lived in North Carolina before moving to Hawaii in 2018, had recently expressed support for both Trump and Biden on social media. He had also attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers for the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump, who had returned to Mar-a-Lago following the incident, issued a statement to supporters assuring them of his safety: “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!” He added, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
The incident is likely to impact Trump’s schedule and campaign activities. He was scheduled to speak about cryptocurrency on social media on Monday night and had planned campaign stops in Michigan and Long Island on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. An email sent to Trump campaign staff advised them to remain vigilant in their daily activities.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have both condemned political violence. Harris expressed her deep concern, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to prevent further violence. Biden instructed his team to ensure that the Secret Service has all necessary resources to safeguard Trump.
Trump has been in contact with key allies and campaign supporters, including Ohio Senator JD Vance, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, and several Fox News hosts. House Speaker Mike Johnson described Trump as “unstoppable” after spending several hours with him.
The FBI, led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is investigating the attempted assassination, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for a thorough state investigation into how the suspect managed to get so close to Trump.
The suspect was apprehended swiftly following a “be on the lookout” alert issued by law enforcement agencies. Martin County Sheriff Snyder reported that deputies quickly intercepted the suspect’s vehicle, leading to his arrest.
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