Former President Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt while playing golf at his West Palm Beach club.
At a Glance
- Former President Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt at his West Palm Beach, Florida golf club.
- The suspect, Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old from Hawaii, was armed with a scoped AK-47 rifle.
- This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in two months.
- Routh was positioned 300-500 yards away from Trump near a chain-link fence.
- The Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office are investigating the incident.
Details of the Attempt
Law enforcement prevented a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred while Trump played golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Authorities found an AK-47 rifle, multiple bags, and a GoPro camera nearby, possibly indicating a planned attack. Trump’s reassured supporters of his safety.
“The suspect, Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old from Hawaii, was armed and positioned 300-500 yards away from Trump. The rifle he was carrying was scoped, enhancing its range and accuracy. A scope like that is not a long distance for a professional shooter,” said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
Routh has a history of criminal charges, including carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a weapon of mass destruction. He positioned himself near a chain-link fence, setting up a sniper’s nest with a GoPro camera aimed toward where Trump was located. This could point to a premeditated attack strategy designed to record the incident.
Immediate Response from Law Enforcement
A Secret Service agent spotted Routh and opened fire, causing him to flee. The agent’s quick actions possibly prevented a tragic event. Routh was later arrested near I-95 after a bystander reported his location to the authorities. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw praised the Secret Service’s handling of the situation. “The Secret Service did exactly what they should have done, and their agent did a fantastic job.”
Trump issued a statement confirming his safety, reassuring his supporters that he is well and intends to continue his political endeavors. “Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed Trump’s safety in a statement. Trump also confirmed in his own post: “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! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Political Implications
Representative Anna Paulina Luna denounced the “radical left” and called on Trump supporters to resist fear and intimidation. Luna emphasized the critical nature of the forthcoming election and called for increased vigilance among voters. The White House, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, was briefed on the incident and expressed relief that Trump is safe.
Investigation and Security
The Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. The FBI has taken the lead in investigating this as an attempted assassination. “The Secret Service’s protective operations are under scrutiny following this incident.”
“The FBI is treating it as an ‘attempted assassination,’” the bureau said in a statement.
The investigation will continue, ensuring all details are examined to prevent future threats. Such incidents underscore the necessity of stringent security measures for political figures, regardless of their current position.
