Suspect Ryan Routh’s criticism of ex-president before golf club shooting revealed

Donald Trump has faced another apparent assassination attempt after shots were fired at one of his golf courses in Florida, the FBI has said.

The former president is safe and unharmed and the bureau says it is investigating the latest security episode involving the Republican presidential nominee, just nine weeks after he survived a previous attempt on his life.

A man was spotted aiming an AK-47-type rifle at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course while concealed in shrubbery about 400 yards to 500 yards away from the politician when he was spotted by Secret Service agents who opened fire as he fled the scene.

He was later stopped in a Nissan SUV by police and taken into custody in a neighboring county, according to local sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

The suspect has since been named as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, with the alleged gunman believed to have criticised Trump on social media and expressed his willingness to “fight and die” in Ukraine.

Authorities have since found two backpacks hanging on a fence and a GoPro camera at the scene.

The incident comes two months after Trump was shot in the ear by a sniper at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Key Points

• Everything we know so far about the shooting at Donald Trump’s golf club

• Suspect named as pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Welsey Routh, 58, who criticised Trump on social media

• Secret Service agent fired on suspect at Trump golf course

• FBI reveals how close Trump was to golf course shooting suspect

• Ex-Secret Service agent warns of ‘copycat’ attacks

Suspect said nothing as he was arrested, attorney reveals

09:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Ryan Routh reportedly remained silent when he was picked up by law enforcement, according to a local state attorney.

“He knew enough to stay silent,” David Aronberg, State Attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Sunday evening.

“He did not apparently speak to officers, he was calm. So, it looked like a person who has done this before, not necessarily this crime, but someone who has had repeated interactions with law enforcement.”

Aronberg did not name the suspect but said he had a “rap sheet” and described the apparent assassination attempt as “another too close for comfort incident.”

He also praised the Secret Service for quickly spotting the alleged shooter and firing at him.

“If you’re Secret Service, it really is an act of heroism to see a person with this dangerous weapon poking through the fence. And it was really a great job by Secret Service to fire the first shot,” he said.

Here’s Cooper’s conversation with presidential historian Tim Naftali on the same show to attempt to put all of this into a broader perspective.

Trump thanks Secret Service and law enforcement for ‘incredible job’

09:10 , Joe Sommerlad

This is the Republican presidential nominee’s most recent comment on Sunday’s events, posted on his Truth Social platform a little earlier.

In pictures: Trump golf course suspect Ryan Wesley Routh

08:50 , Joe Sommerlad

These are the first images we have of the 58-year-old man accused of plotting to assassinate Republican presidential nominee via at attack launched from his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, which was foiled on Sunday afternoon.

Routh owns a construction company in Hawaii and has reportedly previously been critical of Trump on social media, writing to Kamala Harris in one post that she should visit those shot at Trump’s Butler rally in hospital because “Trump will never do anything for them” and telling Joe Biden: “DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose” in November’s election.

Another message reportedly written by Routh is being interpreted as a renunciation of Trump after his apparently having voted for him in 2016: “While you were my choice in 2106 [sic], I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you gone.”

Here’s Tom Watling, Justin Rohrlich and Gustaf Kilander on everything we know about him so far.

Ryan Routh: Everything we know about Trump assassination suspect

Trump sends second fundraising email after shooting

08:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump sent a second fundraising email on Sunday night after the second attempt on his life within the last few months.

Donald Trump

Suspect voted for Trump in 2016, social media reveals

08:00 , Alexander Butler

The 58-year-old suspect alleged to have fired an assault rifle in the vicinity of former US president Donald Trump voted for him in 2016.

Ryan Wesley Routh, from Hawaii, wrote on X that Mr Trump was his choice of candidate eight years ago but he was “greatly disappointed” by his term.

“While you were my choice in 2016, I and the world hoped that President Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointed and it seems you are getting worse and devolving,” Routh wrote on X in July.

Everything we know so far about the shooting at Donald Trump’s golf club

08:00 , Justin Rohrlich

A suspect is in custody following what the FBI says was a disrupted assassination attempt on Donald Trump at one of the former president’s Florida golf resorts on Sunday.

A Secret Service agent opened fire on the suspect after spotting a rifle barrel through the perimeter fence of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect fled but is now in custody and has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.

Trump immediately began fundraising off the latest alleged assassination attempt with an email to supporters, reading, “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! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.”

Everything we know so far about the shooting at Donald Trump’s golf club

Ex-Secret Service agent warns of ‘copycat’ attacks

07:52 , Alexander Butler

Trump is at risk from further “copycat” attacks after a second apparent assassination attempt, Robert McDonald, a former Secret Service agent, said.

Mr McDonald, who supervised security for Joe Biden when he was vice-president, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Copycat people are exactly who we are worried about.

They see now that over the last eight weeks that two people have got relatively close to the former president with high powered rifles and were able to potentially cause damage.

“The bigger concern now is, is somebody going to get a bit closer and do serious damage.”

Pictured: Suspect’s home in Hawaii

07:45 , Alexander Butler

Suspect named as 58-year-old pro-Ukrainian activist

07:35 , Alexander Butler

The alleged gunman who fired an AK-47 assault rifle at former US president Donald Trump’s golf course has been named.

The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, a pro-Ukrainian activist from Oahu, a small town in Hawaii.

Routh who had expressed on social media his willingness to “fight and die” for Kyiv, according to the New York Times.

“I am willing to fly to Krakow and go to the border of Ukraine to volunteer and fight and die,” Routh wrote on X following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“Each one of us must do our part daily in the smallest steps help support human rights, freedom and democracy,” he continued in a separate message on the WhatsApp messaging app.

FBI reveals how close Trump was to golf course shooting suspect

07:30 , Lucy Leeson

The FBI revealed how close Donald Trump was to his Florida golf course shooting suspect.

A man with an AK-47-style weapon pushed the muzzle through the trees at the perimeter at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach while the former president was playing a round of golf on Sunday (15 September), prompting the Secret Service to open fire.

The former president is safe and unharmed, and the FBI says it is investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of the Republican presidential candidate.

When quizzed on how close Trump was to the suspected shooter, a FBI spokesman replied: “300 to 500 yards.”

Suspect complained about Ukraine’s unwillingness to accept foreign soldiers

07:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Suspect Ryan Routh spoke to Semafor on March 7 last year, complaining that the Ukrainian government, which he had traveled around the world to find backing for, was restricting the access of some foreign soldiers without the proper credentials.

“Ukraine is very often hard to work with. Many foreign soldiers leave after a week in Ukraine or must move from unit to unit to find a place they are respected and appreciated,” he told the outlet at the time.

“They’re afraid that anybody and everybody is a Russian spy,” he added.

“I am in Washington DC now to try and get some leadership here to help push the Ukrainians to take these soldiers,” he told Semafor. “It all hinges on the US partners here encouraging Ukraine to use these men or us merely convincing them to use them.”

Suspect spoke of efforts to get Afghan soldiers to Ukraine

06:30 , Gustaf Kilander

The suspect in Sunday’s shooting, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, spoke to The New York Times last year for an article chronicling Americans volunteering to help Ukraine win its war against Russia.

Routh, who was detained on Sunday, said he went to Ukraine after the Russian invasion and that he aimed to get Afghan soldiers to fight in the war.

When Routh was in Washington last year, he told The Times over the phone about a diplomat who thought his efforts to help Ukraine would be successful. But when a US fighter appeared to talk down to him in a message shared with the paper, Routh said the fighter “needs to be shot.”

Routh told The Times that he was in Washington to meet with the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to argue for more backing for Ukraine.

The suspect added at the time that he was looking for recruits for Ukraine among Afghan soldiers who had fled from the Taliban. He added that he was planning on moving some of them from Pakistan and Iran to Ukraine. He claimed that dozens had said that they were interested.

“We can probably purchase some passports through Pakistan since it’s such a corrupt country,” he told the paper.

Suspect expressed will to ‘fight and die’ in Ukraine

06:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Ryan Wesley Routh, the detained suspect in Sunday’s shooting, has said that he would be willing to fight and die in the war in Ukraine.

“I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE,” he wrote on X following the Russian invasion in early 2022, according to The New York Times.

On Signal, Routh wrote in his bio that “Civilians must change this war and prevent future wars.”

“Each one of us must do our part daily in the smallest steps help support human rights, freedom and democracy; we each must help the chinese,” his WhatsApp profile stated.

Secret Service working with federal, state, and local law enforcement, DHS secretary says

05:30 , Gustaf Kilander

In a statement on Sunday night, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said: “I commend the Secret Service for its quick action to preempt this apparent assassination attempt and protect the former President. We condemn violence against public officials and candidates.”

“DHS and the Secret Service are closely working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to learn all of the facts surrounding this incident,” he added. “The safety and security of Presidential candidates and other protectees is the highest priority for the Secret Service.”

DeSantis says state of Florida will conduct ‘its own investigation’

05:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Governor Ron DeSantis said on Sunday night that “The State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club.”

He added: “The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee.”

Rifle found near golf course may have been ‘misidentified’

04:40 , Gustaf Kilander

A firearms expert has told The Washington Post that the weapon found near Trump’s golf course has been “misidentified.”

The director of Armament Research Services, N.R. Jenzen-Jones, told the paper that “The weapon in question has been misidentified as an AK-type rifle, probably due to the distinctively curved magazine and a visually similar gas system.”

Law enforcement said they found an “AK-47-style rifle” at a fence near the course. But the photos viewed during the press conference on Sunday seem to show an SKS-type rifle in a polymer stock that has been fitted with an AK magazine for 7.62mm cartridges, the firearms expert said, according to The Post.

Acting Secret Service director headed to Florida after golf course shooting

04:20 , Gustaf Kilander

‘These people are awesome’: Trump praises the Secret Service

04:00 , Gustaf Kilander

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham told The New York Times that he had spoken to Trump on Sunday.

“He said, ‘They took me off the course because there were shots fired,’” Graham told the paper, quoting the former president.

Graham said Trump noted that he had “500 cops” around him and that he was okay.

“‘These people are awesome,’” Trump said of the Secret Service, according to Graham.

Trump campaign managers email staff: ‘Your safety is always our top priority’

03:40 , Gustaf Kilander

In an email to campaign staff obtained by CNN, Trump campaign managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles said, “This is not a matter that we take lightly. Your safety is always our top priority.”

“We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings. Be observant and maintain a constant level of situational awareness,” they added. “We urge you to always follow directions from law enforcement, including USSS, local police, and office armed security guards.”

Trump’s West Palm Beach campaign office went into lockdown following the shooting.

“President Trump and everyone accompanying him are safe thanks to the great work of the United States Secret Service,” the campaign managers said.

Trump updates fundraising website after shots fired at his Florida golf course

03:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump updated his fundraising website on Sunday night after shots were fired at his Florida golf course.

Donald Trump on fundraising site

McConnell says he’s ‘very grateful’ Trump is safe

03:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, issued a statement on Sunday night, saying that he’s “Very grateful President Trump is safe after another attempted assassination attempt.”

He added: “There is no place for political violence in our country, and those responsible for it must be held to account. I hope and expect USSS and the FBI will conduct a thorough, swift, and transparent investigation.”

Trump campaign recently briefed on threat from Iran

02:40 , Gustaf Kilander

The Trump campaign was recently briefed on new signs that Iran was planning to escalate its attacks on the Republican candidate and those in his orbit, according to CNN.

There’s nothing to suggest that this recent apparent attempt on Trump’s life has any connection to Iran. The recent briefing was regarding possible physical as well as cybersecurity attacks.

It was reported earlier that intelligence officials had found indications that Iran was plotting to assassinate in the weeks leading up to the initial assassination attempt on 13 July, but there are no apparent links between the gunman shot that day – Thomas Matthew Crooks – and the alleged Iranian plot.

The US government has also determined that Iran was behind a hacking operation against the Trump campaign, which also attempted to target the then-Biden-Harris campaign.

House Speaker praises Trump for being ‘strong and resilient’

02:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Speaker Mike Johnson left Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after spending a few hours with Trump, writing on X that the former president remains “strong and resilient.”

Armed with AK-47, filming with GoPro, fleeing in Nissan: What we know about Trump shooting suspect Ryan Routh

02:00 , Tom Watling

A suspected gunman is now in custody after Secret Service agents foiled what appears to be a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump in the space of just two months.

Ryan Wesley Routh was identified by three law enforcement officials who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to speak openly about the incident.

He was allegedly armed with a powerful AK-47 assault rifle and aimed it through the bushes at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when the former president was playing a round of golf on Sunday.

Everything we know about Trump shooting suspect Ryan Routh

Biden says he’s ‘relieved that the former President is unharmed’

01:47 , Gustaf Kilander

Joe Biden

Secret Service agent fired on suspect at Trump golf course attempting to assassinate former president

01:40 , John Bowden

A second assassination attempt on the life of Donald Trump was narrowly averted on Sunday after a Secret Service agent fired on an armed suspect at the former president’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Secret Service agent spotted a man pushing the barrel of an AK-47 rifle through the plant-lined fence surrounding the property, 300-500 yards from where Trump was playing golf.

The agent fired at the man, who fled. The suspect, identified by Associated Press as Ryan Wesley Routh, was later detained and is now in custody.

“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors still spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” wrote Trump in a statement sent out Sunday afternoon.

Secret Service fired shots on Trump golf course after man attempts to shoot him

Suspect’s criminal history includes hit and run and resisting an officer

01:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Ryan Wesley Routh’s criminal history includes possession of stolen goods, having a revoked driver’s license, resisting an officer, carrying a concealed weapon, and a number of other violations, such as a hit and run.

Everything we know so far about the shooting at Donald Trump’s golf club

01:00 , Justin Rohrlich

A suspect is in custody following what the FBI says was a disrupted assassination attempt on Donald Trump at one of the former president’s Florida golf resorts on Sunday.

A Secret Service agent opened fire on the suspect after spotting a rifle barrel through the perimeter fence of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect fled but is now in custody and has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.

Trump immediately began fundraising off the latest alleged assassination attempt with an email to supporters, reading, “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! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.”

Everything we know so far about the shooting at Donald Trump’s golf club

Trump sends second fundraising email after shooting

Monday 16 September 2024 00:39 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump sent a second fundraising email on Sunday night after the second attempt on his life within the last few months.

Donald Trump in fundraising email

Trump cracks jokes with allies after shots fired at his golf course, report says

Monday 16 September 2024 00:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump was playing golf on Sunday with just a few of his staff present, as well as friend Steve Witkoff at the time of the shooting, according to The New York Times.

The former president has since joked about how he’s frustrated his golf game was cut short.

The former White House physician and now a Republican Texas Representative, Ronny Jackson, told the paper he spoke to Trump earlier today.

“I talked to him a little bit, checked on him. He told me he was always glad to hear from me but he was glad he didn’t need my services today,” Jackson told The Times. “I just told him he was glad he was okay and he said he can’t believe this happened.”

In pictures: Police pull over vehicle after shots fired at Trump golf course

Monday 16 September 2024 00:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Here’s what we know about the Trump shooting suspect

Sunday 15 September 2024 23:40 , Andrea Cavallier

A suspected gunman is now in custody after Secret Service agents foiled what appears to be a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump in the space of just two months.

The man, who has not been publicly identified, was allegedly armed with a powerful AK-47 assault rifle and aimed it through the bushes at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when the former president was playing a round of golf on Sunday.

Here’s what we know so far:

Everything we know about Trump shooting suspect taken into custody today

Trump is back at Mar-a-Lago

Sunday 15 September 2024 23:27 , Andrea Cavallier

Trump is back at his Mar-a-Lago following the apparent assassination attempt at his golf course on Sunday.

His motorcade left the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach this afternoon.

VP nominee Tim Walz says he’s glad Trump is safe

Sunday 15 September 2024 23:18 , Andrea Cavallier

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz said he and his wife Gwen are “glad” that Trump is safe.

“Violence has no place in our country,” he added. “It’s not who we are as a nation.”

Suspect has not made any statements

Sunday 15 September 2024 23:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a press briefing that the suspect has not made any statements regarding the alleged assassination attempt of Trump.

“No statement right now as far as his involvement in the incident and there’s further investigation to be completed,” Bradshaw said.

The suspect has not been named.

JD Vance says Trump is in ‘good spirits’

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:45 , Andrea Cavallier

PHOTOS: Suspect’s backpacks and AK-47 found along fence line of Trump golf course

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:42 , Andrea Cavallier

FBI reveals how close Trump was to golf course shooting suspect

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:34 , Andrea Cavallier

Witness alerted officials to “guy running out of the bushes”

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:09 , Andrea Cavallier

A witness was able to identify the individual who fled from the bushes outside Trump’s course and jumped into a black Nissan, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at the briefing.

The witness took a picture of the car and tag, “which was great,” he said.

Police later recovered an AK-47 “with a scope,” two backpacks and a GoPro from the bushes.

LIVE: News briefing on security incident is starting

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:01 , Andrea Cavallier

Shooting at Trump golf club raises concerns about security of ex-president

Sunday 15 September 2024 22:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Shots were fired on Sunday near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida while the former president was on-site, again raising questions about candidate security.

“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement. “No further details at this time.”

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the agency, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, are investigating “a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe.”

Justin Rohrlich reports:

Shooting at Trump golf club raises concerns about security of ex-president

WATCH LIVE: News briefing on incident at Trump’s golf course to begin shortly

Sunday 15 September 2024 21:39 , Andrea Cavallier

Male driver is in custody in connection to incident, sheriff says

Sunday 15 September 2024 21:33 , Andrea Cavallier

A male driver is in custody with the FBI, Sheriff Will Snyder told reporters following the incident at Trump’s golf course on Sunday.

A bomb detection dog cleared the car.

Suspect appeared to push muzzle of rifle through fence while Trump played golf

Sunday 15 September 2024 21:28 , Andrea Cavallier

The golf course was shut down for Trump while he played a round on Sunday.

Agents were a few holes ahead of him when they noticed the person with the firearm, officials said.

The person appeared to push the muzzle of the rifle through the fence line and that’s when agents fired.