The FBI is investigating what they describe as an “attempted assassination” of Donald Trump, following an incident in which the former president came under gunfire while playing golf at his West Palm Beach club.
This marks the second assassination attempt targeting Trump in two months.
On Sunday, Trump was rushed to safety after multiple shots were fired near him at the Trump International Golf Club. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a registered Democrat, is now in custody. This comes nearly two months after another gunman attempted to attack Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In a statement released about an hour after the incident, Trump reassured the public that he was “safe and well” and urged people not to let rumors “spiral out of control.”
The Secret Service, whose advance team had been bolstered following a previous attack, spotted the shooter in the tree line, just two holes from where Trump was golfing. The FBI confirmed that the incident appeared to be an assassination attempt on the former president.
The suspect, armed with a high-powered rifle, was positioned near the 5th and 6th holes of the course, a “vulnerable” area according to sources familiar with the layout. Police recovered the rifle and the suspect’s vehicle. The gunman fled after being spotted, but Trump’s security team quickly responded.
The attack occurred at 2:00 p.m., just two holes ahead of where Trump was golfing at the time. The area where the suspect was seen is one of the closest points to the road, making it a prime location for such an attack.
This follows an earlier attempt on Trump’s life in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when the former president was shot in the ear. Since then, Trump’s security has been significantly increased.
Real estate investor Steve Witkoff was playing golf with Trump at the time of the incident. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department later held a press conference, revealing images of the suspect’s backpack, GoPro camera, and AK-47 rifle left at the scene.
In a defiant statement, Trump declared, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
