Florida: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was unharmed following a suspected assassination attempt near his golf club on Sunday. According to reports, gunshots were fired in the vicinity of Trump International Golf Club.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the incident as a potential assassination attempt. “The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach, Florida, and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” stated an FBI spokesperson.
Authorities have detained a suspect in connection with the incident. Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder reported that the suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended without incident and exhibited little emotional reaction during his arrest.
Law enforcement officials recovered several items at the scene, including an AK-47 style rifle, two backpacks containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera. “These items are currently being processed,” said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
In response to the attack, President Joe Biden praised the Secret Service and other security personnel for their prompt actions. “I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today,” Biden wrote on X. “A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the violence, stating, “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Harris posted on X.
This latest incident follows a separate attack on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
The former president sustained injuries to his right ear and a bloodied face as he was swiftly removed from the stage by security. The shooting at the rally resulted in the death of the shooter and one bystander, with two other spectators injured. The Secret Service is also investigating this earlier event as an assassination attempt.
