WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. On Sunday, former President Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI describes as an “apparent assassination attempt” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident unfolded just weeks after Trump survived a separate attempt on his life during a campaign rally.
Secret Service agents, stationed near Trump as he played golf, noticed a rifle muzzle protruding from shrubbery approximately 400 yards away. The firearm, identified as an AK-style rifle, was spotted on the course perimeter, triggering immediate action from the agents.
“One of the agents fired a shot, causing the assailant to drop the weapon and flee,” stated Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. The suspect abandoned not only the rifle but also two backpacks, a GoPro camera, and a scope used for aiming, leaving authorities with critical evidence. Law enforcement officials later apprehended the suspect in a nearby county.
While details of the suspect’s motive remain unclear, the man, identified as Ryan Routh, 58, has been detained. Sheriff William Snyder of Martin County described the suspect’s demeanor as “calm, flat, and emotionless” upon arrest. Routh, who had resided in North Carolina before moving to Hawaii, had previously supported Trump’s 2020 reelection bid but recently expressed political support for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump, who has faced heightened security measures since the assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania in July, reassured supporters of his safety through a message on social media: “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!” He also affirmed, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Despite the terrifying nature of the attack, Trump returned to his Mar-a-Lago residence and is scheduled to continue with campaign activities, including a cryptocurrency speech on Monday. His protective detail has been on high alert, with more robust security protocols in place, including armored vehicles and additional law enforcement personnel at his public appearances.
Political leaders quickly responded to the incident. President Joe Biden expressed concern for Trump’s safety and ordered an investigation to ensure that the Secret Service has all the necessary resources. Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the violence, calling the day’s events “deeply disturbing.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity, who spoke with Trump’s golf partner Steve Witkoff, recounted how Secret Service agents “pounced on Trump and covered him” during the tense moments following the gunshots.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to conduct a state investigation into the breach of security, raising questions about how the suspect managed to get within 500 yards of the former president. “The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get so close,” DeSantis stated in a post on X.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is being briefed regularly on the matter as investigators work to uncover the suspect’s motive.
While no further details have been confirmed, Routh’s connection to political causes and his recent activities in Ukraine, where he reportedly tried to recruit fighters against Russian forces, adds a layer of complexity to the investigation.
As the campaign season reaches its final stretch, Trump’s security remains a top priority. His close ally, Senator Lindsey Graham, called him “unstoppable” following Sunday’s attack, while Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reaffirmed the importance of unity in the face of threats: “We must work together as one team to save America from those who seek to destroy it.”
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
