Trump safe after new assassination attempt, suspect arrested

According to two sources familiar with the incident, U.S. intelligence agents opened fire on a man armed with a gun who they believed was targeting Donald Trump while he was playing golf at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The agents were already several steps ahead of Trump when they saw the gun peeking out from between the bushes, one of the sources said. The man then fled in a vehicle that was later found. An AK rifle was found at the scene.

Trump was nearby but is safe, the Trump campaign confirmed. “President Trump is safe following the shooting near him. We have no further information at this time,” said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign.

Palm Beach authorities were informed by local police that they believed Trump had been targeted, according to a person familiar with the situation.
In a statement, the FBI said: “The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach, Florida and is apparently investigating an assassination attempt on former President Trump.”

“We have an individual in custody who is a potential suspect,” Palm Beach officials said.

“We still have work to do on the case, but as usual, we will update you and share his photo and background as soon as we decide to take him to the county jail and file charges,” they added.

FBI Special Agent Jeffrey B. Veltri, Miami Field Office Chief, stated:

“What we need now is for the public to avoid the area around the golf course. We will continue to support this investigation with all FBI resources, in cooperation with our partners.”

The suspect involved in a shooting at Trump's golf course in Florida dropped his AK-47 rifle and fled in an SUV, officials said.

The suspect was then arrested in a neighboring area, with no injuries reported. A firearm was found at the scene near Trump's West Palm Beach International Golf Club, according to two officials.

World media reports that the identity of the suspect in connection with the attempted assassination of US presidential candidate Donald Trump is known; he is Ryan Wesley Routh.

According to the latest information, he has been arrested. As for the suspect, his son described him in a statement to CNN as a “caring, loving father.” He also stated that he is not a man who would do such a thing.

According to CNN, police remained on duty outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, but the street remained closed for nine hours after the incident.

“We learned from the police that he was very calm. He showed no emotion whatsoever,” said the CNN correspondent.

The suspect was waiting for Trump, said Dave Aronberg, a Palm Beach lawyer.

He also states that Secret Service agents spotted a 58-year-old man hiding in the bushes. According to him, the attacker aimed at them and the agent shot him. Trump was reportedly 300 to 400 meters away from the attacker.

The White House also announced that President Joe Biden and his Vice President and US presidential candidate Kamala Harris had been informed of the incident.