A man has been arrested following an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. This incident occurred two months after a previous assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The FBI is treating the incident as an attempted assassination, and the investigation is ongoing.
Details of the Attempt
On Sunday afternoon, former President was playing golf near his Mar-a-Lago residence when a Secret Service agent spotted an AR-style rifle with a scope hidden in the bushes. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the Secret Service opened fire on the suspect, who then fled in a black Nissan. Despite the shots fired, it remains unclear if the suspect fired at the agents. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was later apprehended. Authorities recovered an AR-style rifle, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera from the scene.
Routh has a history of criminal and civil court issues, including a conviction for possessing a machine gun in 2022. He previously resided in North Carolina and Hawaii and has claimed involvement in Ukraine’s conflict. Routh’s prior statements and activities are under investigation to determine any potential links to the attempted assassination.
Trump ‘s Reaction and Safety
Former President was safely evacuated during the incident and later expressed gratitude towards the Secret Service and law enforcement on Truth Social, praising their efforts. He returned to Mar-a-Lago after the incident. Trump’s campaign spokesperson confirmed that he was unharmed and praised the response of security forces.
- Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the incident and urged for efforts to prevent further violence.
- President Joe Biden expressed relief that former President was unharmed and reaffirmed his stance against political violence, promising continued support for Secret Service resources.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for a thorough investigation into how the suspect managed to get so close to Trump.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer both condemned the attack and emphasized the need for legal action against the perpetrator.
Trump’s campaign has used the incident to bolster fundraising efforts, with Trump declaring that his resolve remains strong. Following the Butler, Pennsylvania shooting, Trump’s security measures, including bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies, have been adjusted. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe is traveling to Florida to oversee the response.
Previous Incident
The current attempt follows a similar event on July 13, where former President was targeted during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During that attack, the Secret Service fatally shot the gunman. The incident resulted in heightened security measures at Trump’s subsequent rallies.
The latest assassination attempt underscores the ongoing threats to high-profile figures and highlights the critical role of security forces in safeguarding public figures. The investigation into this incident continues as officials work to understand the motives and prevent future threats.
More: https://exploration-echo.com/2024/09/12/trump-doubts-future-debates-after-latest-performance/