Donald Trump survives assassination attempt at Florida Golf Course

New Delhi, Sep 16: Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while playing golf at his Florida resort on Sunday afternoon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said.

Gunshots were fired outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, two months after a similar attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after Secret Service agents fired near the boundary of the golf course.

The FBI released a statement, saying, “We are investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club.” Trump, who was unharmed in the incident, later reassured his supporters through a statement reported by the international media: “FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God! But there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us. I will not stop fighting for you. I will Never Surrender.”

According to a CNN report, the incident occurred when a Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of an AK-47-style weapon protruding from bushes near the golf course. The agent immediately engaged the suspect, who fled the scene in a black Nissan. Media reported that the Palm Beach County security Office confirmed that the suspect was later apprehended by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The authorities got a tip from a witness who had photographed the suspect’s vehicle.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a press conference, “A witness came forward and said, ‘Hey, I saw the guy running out of the bushes, he jumped into a black Nissan, and I took a picture of the vehicle and the tag.’ That helped us track down the suspect.” Authorities recovered an AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks, a GoPro camera, and other equipment from the bushes where the suspect had been hiding.

Reports from the BBC indicated that Routh had positioned himself near the fifth and sixth holes of the golf course, giving him a clear line of sight across the area. Trump was about 300 to 500 yards away when the suspect was first spotted. A Secret Service official told the BBC, “Trump was one or two holes behind because the security detail moves ahead to make sure the area is cleared.”

Authorities also found evidence linking Routh to foreign activities. A BBC report revealed that Routh had an extensive social media presence, with posts supporting foreign fighters in Ukraine and criticising Trump’s stance on the war. Media reported that one Facebook post from July read, “We are still trying to get Ukraine to accept Afghan soldiers and hope to have some answers in the coming months.” Other posts signalled pro-Palestinian, pro-Taiwan, and anti-China sentiments, as well as conspiracy theories related to Covid-19.

Following the incident, Trump issued a second statement through his fundraising platform, calling for financial support and asserting that his determination has only grown stronger. “My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!” he declared, promising his supporters that “nothing will slow me down” in his fight for the Republican nomination.

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Secret Service, remain on high alert, investigating whether the two assassination attempts are connected or if Routh acted alone. “This matter is still under investigation, and we are working diligently to ensure the safety of the former president,” a Secret Service representative told The Washington Post.

This marks the second assassination attempt on Trump within the past two months. In the first incident, during a rally in Pennsylvania’s Boulder, a bullet narrowly grazed Trump’s ear as he addressed a crowd. Security forces quickly neutralised the threat, killing the assailant.

Who is Ryan Wesley Routh?

Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old former construction worker from North Carolina, is currently in custody following his arrest in connection with the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course.

Routh had relocated to Hawaii in recent years and is the owner of a small construction company. He was detained after fleeing the scene in a black Nissan, which was intercepted 45 minutes away from Trump International Golf Club.

Routh has not yet been formally charged, but law enforcement officials have confirmed that he remains in custody. He is expected to appear before a judge later today. Authorities are still investigating his motives and potential connections, particularly given his strong political views and involvement in international issues.

Routh is a known supporter of Ukraine, with a fervent interest in the ongoing conflict there. In May 2022, he was photographed at a rally in Kyiv, advocating for increased international humanitarian aid for civilians. The following month, he gave an interview to Newsweek Romania, in which he explained his deep support for Ukraine’s war effort.