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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
The former United States President, Donald Trump, was rushed to safety following an attempted assassination at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
Naija News reports that this marks the second attack on Trump in less than two months, with a previous shooting in July at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which left a rallygoer dead and Trump injured.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred at Trump International Golf Club, just 15 minutes from his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Secret Service agents on routine patrol noticed the muzzle of an AK-47-style rifle sticking out from shrubbery near the golf course. At the time, Trump was about 300 to 500 yards away from the potential shooter.
The agent immediately confronted the suspect, who fled. Agents fired four to five shots at the fleeing individual, who escaped in a vehicle, leaving behind the rifle, two knapsacks, a weapon scope, and a GoPro camera.
After a brief chase along the I-95 highway, 38 miles north of the golf course, the suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended.
Suspect Information – Ryan Wesley Routh
Ryan Wesley Routh has been identified as the gunman behind the attempt. According to his son, Oran, Routh was a “loving and caring” man, and the family expressed disbelief over his actions.
Ryan Wesley Routh
Routh’s social media activity revealed support for foreign fighters in Ukraine, pro-Palestinian causes, and anti-China sentiments, though he had no formal military background.
Routh also had a history of criminal activity, with multiple felonies in Guilford County, North Carolina, from 2002 to 2010. These included charges for driving with a suspended license, possession of stolen goods, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest, and hit-and-run offenses.
Trump’s Reaction
Thankfully, Trump was unharmed during the attack. His campaign team swiftly reassured the public that the former president was “safe and well.”
In an email to supporters, Trump said: “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 wrote: “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
An email to Trump campaign staffers obtained by AP 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.
“As we enter the last 50 days of President Trump’s campaign, we must remember that we will only be able save America from those who seek to destroy it by working together as one team.”
Trump later spoke to Fox News host Sean Hannity, recounting how Secret Service agents quickly shielded him and transported him in a steel-reinforced vehicle after hearing gunfire.
Law Enforcement and Political Response
The FBI, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, is leading the investigation. Jeffrey Veltri, spokesperson for the FBI’s Miami Field Office, confirmed that resources such as crisis response teams, bomb squads, and evidence collectors were deployed to the scene.
Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the incident, with Harris expressing deep concern over the situation.
Leaders of the bipartisan congressional task force investigating the previous July assassination attempt expressed relief that Trump was safe but reiterated their concerns over escalating political violence.
Republican Congressman Mike Kelly and Democrat Jason Crow stated that the task force has requested a briefing with the Secret Service to assess security measures.
Despite enhanced security protocols since the July attack, Rafael Barros of the Secret Service warned that the threat level remains high.
Ryan Routh is set to make his initial court appearance at the Palm Beach County courthouse on Monday.
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