Suspect Detained at Florida Golf Club with Military-Style Weapon

An alarming incident unfolded at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida as Secret Service agents apprehended a suspect in possession of an AK-style rifle, allegedly intending to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

At a Glance

Donald Trump was targeted in an apparent assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was later apprehended by law enforcement in a neighboring county.
Secret Service agents noticed a rifle muzzle through shrubbery and opened fire, causing the suspect to flee.
The suspect left behind an AK-style rifle, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera.
Trump confirmed he was safe and well in an email to supporters.

Suspect Arrested Near Trump’s Golf Club

The dramatic events began when Secret Service agents at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, spotted a rifle’s muzzle through shrubbery. Agents immediately opened fire as the suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, fled the scene. Law enforcement later apprehended Routh in a neighboring county.

Following the incident, authorities recovered an AK-style rifle, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera from the scene. These items indicate the suspect may have planned to record the attempted assassination. Trump supporters argue this event underscores the growing threats faced by Trump from political adversaries.

Man arrested in apparent Trump assassination attempt to appear in federal court Monday https://t.co/hEqIO6tUEr

— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) September 16, 2024

Trump’s Safety Confirmed

Trump himself confirmed his safety in an email to supporters, stating, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” His swift communication aimed to prevent rumors from spiraling out of control and assured his supporters of his well-being.

“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!” – Donald Trump

According to reports, local law enforcement issued a “be on the lookout” alert which resulted in the swift capture of the suspect. Routh was calm during his arrest, showing no signs of emotion.

Investigation Underway

The FBI, assisted by the ATF, is leading the investigation into this alarming incident. Attorney General Merrick Garland is receiving regular updates. Officials continue to scrutinize the evidence, including the suspect’s vehicle, after initially spotting Routh’s rifle barrel sticking out of a fence near the 5th and 6th holes on the golf course.

“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.” – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Political figures from both parties have condemned the violence and expressed relief over Trump’s safety. Given the incident’s proximity to Election Day, heightened security measures around Trump have been implemented.

Former President Donald Trump is "safe and unharmed" after a second possible assassination attempt, this time while he was playing golf in Florida.

The suspect fled after a Secret Service agent fired shots at him, but he was later arrested around 50 miles away. pic.twitter.com/AOBdOK2BTd

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 16, 2024

Continued Threats and Security Measures

This incident follows a previous assassination attempt on Trump in July in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot in the ear. Rep. Mike Waltz emphasized the need for a thorough investigation due to the seriousness of ongoing threats. It remains unclear how many people were involved and whether the suspect fired his weapon.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Routh was involved in raising funds for Ukraine and had made anti-Trump posts on social media. As investigations continue, it’s critical for the law enforcement agencies to reveal all facts surrounding the case to the public. For now, Trump’s campaign schedule remains unaffected, with events planned across several states.