A foiled assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club has left the nation in shock.
At a Glance
- Former President Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt at his West Palm Beach, Florida golf club.
- The suspect, Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old from Hawaii, was armed with a scoped AK-47 rifle.
- This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in two months.
- A Secret Service agent opened fire on the suspect, causing him to flee.
- Routh was later arrested after being spotted by a bystander.
Assassination Attempt in West Palm Beach
A chilling attempt was made on the life of former President Donald Trump while he was enjoying a round of golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Law enforcement authorities uncovered an AK-47 rifle, several bags, and a GoPro camera hidden near the premises. The suspect, Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old from Hawaii, was armed and hidden near a chain-link fence, approximately 300-500 yards away from Trump’s location.
Trump was shaken but reassured his supporters of his safety through a statement released on his campaign website. Representative Anna Paulina Luna urged Trump supporters to remain resilient in the face of increased threats, attributing the incident to radical leftists. Emphasizing the critical importance of the upcoming election, she called for unity and vigilance among Trump’s supporters.
Who is Ryan Routh?
Ryan Routh, the would-be assassin, stands accused of setting up a sniper’s nest complete with a GoPro camera to record the shooting. He was found armed with a scoped AK-47 rifle and has a criminal history that includes carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Law enforcement officials spotted Routh near the golf club’s perimeter and a Secret Service agent ultimately opened fire, forcing him to flee.
“The motive for the alleged attack also remains unclear but the FBI is treating it as an ‘attempted assassination,'” the bureau said in a statement.
Routh was eventually apprehended on I-95 after a bystander tipped off authorities. Trump, acknowledging the grave danger, expressed his gratitude toward law enforcement for their swift action. Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung confirmed the former President’s well-being and his determination to continue his political campaign.
Security Under Scrutiny
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, commented that Trump was in high spirits despite the attempt on his life. Representative Anna Paulina Luna also condemned the act, calling it a testament to the lengths to which radical elements of the left would go to disrupt Trump’s campaign. The Secret Service is now under increased scrutiny regarding their protective measures for a former president and the level of protection he warrants since he’s not the sitting president. Whoa…
“Well, you got to understand, the golf course is surrounded by shrubbery, so when somebody gets into the shrubbery, they’re pretty much out of sight, all right,” Bradshaw said after a question about how the gunman could get so close. “And at this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president…” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw
Authorities including the Secret Service, FBI, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the ongoing investigation. The incident closely follows another assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, two months earlier, making it a concerning trend that demands rigorous security reassessment.
