Donald Trump, former US President and the Republican candidate for the 2024 election, was safe after gunshots were fired near his golf club in Florida on Sunday, according to the US Secret Service. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said they are probing the incident as an ‘attempted assassination’.
The Secret Service officials opened fire on a person after spotting him with a firearm near the golf club shortly before 2 pm on Sunday (11.30 pm Indian Time), according to officials.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said, “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.” The suspect who fled in a vehicle from the scene has been arrested.
Reports have identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii. However, the FBI declined to comment.
This apparent attempt on Trump’s life, foiled by the FBI, comes just two months after he was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, sustaining a minor injury to his right ear.
According to a CNN report, the Republican presidential candidate was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach when the incident occurred.
In a post on X, US Secret Service Communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said, “The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 pm. The former president is safe.”
According to a post on X, Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., cited local law enforcement as saying an AK-47 automatic weapon had been discovered in bushes and a suspect has been apprehended.
‘Secret Service did exactly what should have been done’
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Secret Service agents saw a rifle barrel poking out from bushes about 400 to 500 yards (365 to 460 meters) away from Trump as they cleared holes of potential threats ahead of his play.
The agents engaged the gunman, firing at least four rounds of ammunition around 1:30 pm (1730 GMT).
The gunman then dropped his rifle, and left behind two backpacks and other items, and fled in a black Nissan car. The sheriff said a witness saw the gunman and managed to take photos of his car and license plate before he escaped.
“The Secret Service did exactly what should have been done,” Bradshaw was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters, declining to provide a possible motive.
After the suspect fled the scene, police sent out an alert to statewide agencies with the information on his vehicle, which led to sheriff’s deputies in neighboring Martin County apprehending the suspect on I-95 about 40 miles (65km) from the golf course.
(Agencies; Picture Courtesy: AP)
