Two months after an attempted assassination during a rally in Pennsylvania, another attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life was thwarted at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident occurred on Sunday while Trump was golfing; he was unharmed. A suspect, who fled the scene, was arrested following a police pursuit.
Details of the Incident
While Trump was on the course around 1:30 p.m., a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle muzzle approximately 300-500 yards away, hidden in bushes lining the golf course. The agent, stationed one hole ahead of Trump, immediately alerted authorities. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw later recounted that when Secret Service agents fired at the gunman, he dropped his weapon—a rifle with a scope—along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera. The suspect then fled in a vehicle.
Authorities captured the suspect after a high-speed chase, forcing the car off the road. Sheriff William Snyder of Martin County reported that the suspect was unarmed at the time of his arrest, showed no resistance, and was calm. Though the suspect has not been officially named, sources have identified him as Ryan Routh.
Trump’s Response
In an email to supporters, Trump confirmed his safety, stating, “I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” Despite the incident, he was reportedly in good spirits and returned to his Mar-a-Lago resort. In a social media post, Trump thanked law enforcement and the Secret Service for their quick response.
Investigations and Reactions
The Secret Service is investigating the incident, which occurred during an unscheduled golf game. CNN reported that the FBI has launched a global investigation into the suspect’s online activity. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a separate state investigation, emphasizing that the public deserves to know how the suspect got so close to Trump.
Politicians across the political spectrum condemned the attack. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump’s resilience, while President Joe Biden expressed relief at Trump’s safety and called for a thorough investigation, reiterating that “there is no place for political violence” in the country.
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