Donald Trump 'assassination' bid as Secret Service open fire on man with AK-47 (original) (raw)
Donald Trump 'assassination attempt' as Secret Service shoot at man with AK-47 and Go-Pro camera
Donald Trump's Secret Service security team were alerted to the would-be gunman, who has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, while they scouted out a golf course the ex-President was playing at
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White House issues statement on 'Trump incident'
Donald Trump has survived what the FBI is describing as "an apparent assassination attempt" in which a man with an AK-47 was fired upon by Secret Service agents at a Florida golf club.
The US Secret Service says ex-President Donald Trump is safe after the shooting saw emergency services scrambled to the scene and shots fired at a man believed to be holding an assault rifle. It is believed to have occurred after a Secret Service agent walking several holes ahead of the President on the course spotted a rifle barrel in a treeline and alerted the rest of Trump's protection team.
The suspect dropped his weapon and fled in an SUV, and was later taken into custody in a neighbouring county, the officials said. He has since been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.
Routh is alleged to have tried to shoot the businessman while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, close to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the identity of the suspect to the Associated Press but spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Sheriff vehicles pictured near Trump International Golf Club (
Image:
AP)
An AK-47-style firearm, reportedly with a scope attachment, was recovered at the scene near Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, two officials said. No injuries were reported.
A Go-Pro camera was also set up to film the incident, the authorities revealed at a West Palm Beach Police press conference later on Sunday, with authorities releasing a picture of the area of the bushes the suspect was spotted in.
It was also revealed the ex-President had been "between 300 and 500 yards" away from the gunman at the time of the incident.
Further reports from the scene suggest a man with an "assault rifle type" weapon approached a fence at the golf course and may have attempted to place the rifle's barrel through it, at which point Secret Service agents opened fire and drove off the suspect who fled in an SUV. Local police then stopped the vehicle and arrested a suspect.
Sheriffs in the neighbouring county to West Palm Beach said the suspect was not armed and didn't ask why he was being detained.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told that the suspect believed connected to the incident “was not armed when we took him out of the car.”
Snyder said the man had a calm, flat demeanour and showed little emotion when he was stopped by police. The suspect did not question why he was being pulled over.
Authorities have released a photograph of the area of bushes at the edge of the golf course where the suspect was spotted
“He never asked, ‘what is this about?’ Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it,” Snyder said.
The U.S. Secret Service said it was investigating and that the incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. “The former president is safe,” a Secret Service spokesperson insisted.
In the wake of the incident, Mr Trump released a statement through his campaign saying: "There were gunshots in my vicinity but before rumours start spiralling out of control I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!
"Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!"
Trump International Golf Club where the incident unfolded (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Roughly two months ago, Trump was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, and a bullet grazed his ear.
Donald Trump's son, Donald Jr, took to Twitter in the aftermath of the incident to make a series of as-yet-unconfirmed claims about the incident. He posted: "Again folks! SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement. The Trump campaign has released a statement confirming former President Trump is safe. A suspect has reportedly been apprehended. "
Trump had returned to Florida this weekend from a West Coast swing that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a Utah fundraiser. His campaign did not immediately provide any additional details.
No injuries were reported, according to a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had both been briefed and would be kept updated on the investigation. The White House added they were “relieved” to know Trump is safe.
Trump at the course in the past (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Ms Harris, running against Mr Trump in November's election, tweeted: "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."
A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation said officials were trying to determine whether the shots were fired near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course or on the grounds. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
In an X post, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, one of Trump’s top congressional allies, said he had spoken with Trump after the incident and that Trump was in “good spirits” and was “one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.
Trump International Golf Club where the incident unfolded (
Image:
AP)
Trump often spends the morning playing golf, before having lunch at the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, one of three he owns in the state.
Trump has had a stepped-up security footprint since the assassination attempt in July. When he has been at Trump Tower in New York, a lineup of dump trucks have parked in a wall outside the building. And at outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind an enclosure of bulletproof glass.
A message sent to campaign officials seeking information on the security status and location of Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, was not immediately returned.
Max Egusquiza, of Palm Beach, described the emergency response outside Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
“From what I saw 5 black unmarked SUVs blocked in a grey Mercedes in front of the golf course. There were about 20 or more cop cars flying from nearby streets,” he said.