Suspect in Custody After Failed Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
Former President Donald Trump is safe after a possible attempt to kill him at his golf course in Florida. US officials confirmed that a "possible suspect" has been arrested.
Secret Service agents saw the end of a rifle coming out from bushes and fired at the person. The FBI said Trump was 300 to 500 yards (275 to 455 meters) away at the time.
At the scene, police found an AK-47-style gun, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera. A witness said they saw the person running from the bushes and getting into a black Nissan car after agents shot at him. The witness took a photo of the car and its license plate. The car was later stopped in Martin County, north of the golf course.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said, “We contacted Martin County Sheriff's Office, and they stopped the car and arrested the man. The witness identified the person as the one who ran from the bushes into the car.”
Trump sent an email to his supporters, saying, "I am safe and well. Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender!"
This event happened two months after another person tried to shoot Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the gunman hit Trump’s ear.
The Secret Service confirmed on social media that they were investigating a "protective incident" involving Trump, which happened around 14:00 EST (19:00 BST) on Sunday.
Sheriff Bradshaw praised the Secret Service agent for spotting the rifle barrel and acting quickly. There is now more security around Trump's Mar-a-Lago property and his golf course in Florida.
US media reported that the suspect is 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from Hawaii. He had called for people to fight in Ukraine against Russian forces. Routh had been convicted of several crimes in North Carolina between 2002 and 2010, including carrying a hidden weapon and hit-and-run.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were informed about the incident. Biden said, "I am relieved that the former president is unharmed."
Harris, who is running against Trump in the election, said she was "disturbed by the possible attempt" on Trump’s life. She added that "political violence" must not be allowed and thanked the Secret Service and police for their work.
In July, Trump was injured while speaking in Pennsylvania when a gunman fired at him with a rifle. The shooter killed one audience member but was then shot by a Secret Service sniper.
After that attack, the Secret Service faced questions about how the gunman managed to shoot at Trump. The head of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned two weeks later.
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