US Secret Service agents have engaged an armed man at a Florida golf course
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw holds a photograph of the rifle and other items discovered after an apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on September 15, 2024 © Joe Raedle / Getty Images
The FBI is treating a shooting incident at Trump International Golf Club in Florida as a suspected assassination attempt against former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Federal agents are investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the FBI confirmed on Sunday.
The incident occurred shortly before 2pm local time, when a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel sticking through the fence of the resort.
The agent “engaged” with the threat, firing four to six rounds, according to West Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. The suspect fled the scene, but was later arrested.
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16 September 2024
01:36 GMT
The acting US Secret Service director Ronald Rowe, who has held the position since Kimberly Cheatle was forced to resign after the assassination attempt against Trump in July, is on his way to Florida, CNN reports.
- 01:11 GMT
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that his state will conduct “its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club.”
“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,” he wrote on X.
- 01:03 GMT
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident and is “relieved that the former President is unharmed,” and emphasized that “there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,” according to a statement from the White House.
“A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe,” Biden said.
“I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety,” he added.
- 00:54 GMT
While the suspects’s identity and motive have not yet been officially confirmed by authorities, law enforcement sources informed AP, CNN, and Fox News that the detained man’s name was Ryan Wesley Routh.
A man by that name appeared to be a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow, according to US media and internet users who analyzed his social media accounts before they were deleted.
Routh’s social media profiles were filled with posts highlighting his “self-proclaimed involvement” in the Ukraine conflict and attempts to recruit soldiers to fight against Russia, according to CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller.
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15 September 2024
23:46 GMT
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has wondered whether US intelligence agencies had any “contact” with the attempted shooter, pointing to his alleged Ukraine connections and vocal support of Kiev.
“We know little so far, but w alleged Trump shooter’s personal and public participation in military activity in Ukraine, it is hard to imagine this White House’s agencies can claim zero contact—”clean hands.” Something of an Oswald vibe, here. Congress should get answers,” Snowden wrote on X.
The whistleblower acknowledged that the suspect’s ID and motive has yet to be officially confirmed, but insisted it was “precisely why the public needs rapid, reliable, and non-evasive answers from the agencies you pay to provide them.”
We know little so far, but w alleged Trump shooter's personal and public participation in military activity in Ukraine, it is hard to imagine this White House's agencies can claim zero contact—"clean hands." Something of an Oswald vibe, here. Congress should get answers. pic.twitter.com/lDD1TLsLVf
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) September 15, 2024
- 23:36 GMT
Donald Trump has issued another statement, emphasizing that his “resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!”
My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!I will never slow down.I will never give up.I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!I thank God every day for having supporters like you on my side.On November 5th, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!MAGAMay God bless you, pic.twitter.com/Qzf8ulkXdz
— Jeff Cunningham (@jeffrygc) September 15, 2024
- 23:28 GMT
Fox News and New York Post columnist, Karol Markowicz, has shared an alleged photo of the suspect being pulled out of his vehicle and detained by law enforcement. The man’s identity and motive has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
Pic of the man in custody after the attempt on Donald Trump in West Palm Beach. This man is 58 years old. I don’t have a name yet. pic.twitter.com/vOOVjV6H2g
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) September 15, 2024
- 22:51 GMT
Authorities have yet to officially confirm the suspect’s identity, but multiple media outlets, including Fox News and NBC News named him as Ryan Wesley Routh, described as a white male in his mid-60s.
- 22:29 GMT
Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, also said he was “glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe.”
Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 15, 2024
- 22:20 GMT
US Vice President Kamala Harris said that “violence has no place in America” following the assassination attempt against her Republican rival at the upcoming presidential elections.
“I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe,” she wrote in a brief statement on X.
I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024
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