Suspect identified in attempted assassination of Trump, says Fox, NYT
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The identity of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course has been revealed as Ryan Wesley Routh.
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Suspect identified in attempted assassination of Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, undated. (Social media/X)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump escaped unharmed after what the FBI described as an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing at his West Palm Beach, Florida course on Sunday.
Authorities reported that Secret Service agents detected a gunman hiding in bushes near the edge of the property, armed with an AK-47-style assault rifle. Both The New York Times and Fox News identified the suspect as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from Hawaii, though Reuters was unable to verify these claims independently.
The agents, who were sweeping the course for potential threats ahead of Trump’s game, spotted the gunman’s rifle from a distance of 400 to 500 yards (about 365 to 457 meters) and opened fire, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm local time (1730 GMT).
After exchanging fire with the Secret Service, the gunman dropped his weapon, two backpacks, and other belongings before fleeing in a black Nissan. A witness managed to capture photographs of the suspect’s car and license plate, aiding the investigation. Sheriff Bradshaw praised the agents' swift response, saying they had taken the correct actions.
Following the suspect’s escape, authorities issued a statewide alert, eventually leading Martin County deputies to apprehend the suspect on I-95. While the suspect’s identity and motive remained undisclosed then, Sheriff Bradshaw confirmed that an arrest had been made.
In an email to supporters, Trump reassured them of his safety, writing, "There were gunshots near me, but before any rumors spread, I want to confirm: I AM SAFE AND WELL!"
It is worth mentioning that the gunman had posted several posts expressing his opinion about both candidates, calling them out.
The last tweets from Ryan Wesley Routh, the Trump assassination suspect, were made to Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Hunter Biden.
— Jonnie King 🍌👑 (@JonnieKing) September 15, 2024
He appears to be a far-left radicalist.
It’s strange how he lists his phone number and email address in all his tweets @RyanRouth 🤔 pic.twitter.com/J3u67uznwT
This incident follows an earlier assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania on July 13, where he sustained a minor injury. The attack raised concerns about the security measures in place for candidates ahead of the November 5 election, where Trump is expected to face Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
President Joe Biden has been informed of the shooting, according to the White House, and has denounced the incident, wishing Trump, his family, and supporters wellness and health. The incumbent president further said there was no place for such violence in the United States, calling for "unity as a nation" to condemn it.
The failed assassination attempt, which resulted in one rallygoer’s death and a minor injury to Trump, also led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle under bipartisan pressure.
Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman in that attack, was killed by a Secret Service sniper. The new acting director of the Secret Service expressed deep regret in August over the security failures that led to the Pennsylvania incident.
