The FBI is investigating a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, who was out golfing at the Trump National Golf Club in Florida when gunshots were heard.
Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed in a press conference on Sunday afternoon that the Secret Service contacted law enforcement at 1:30 p.m. ET about “shots fired,” with the area immediately sealed off. A witness who spotted someone fleeing the scene in a black Nissan was able to get a photo of both the car and its license plate, and authorities were able to detain the suspect shortly after.
Here’s everything we know so far about the second assassination attempt on Trump.
The FBI says it was an attempted assassination
“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the FBI said in a statement.
The Secret Service is also conducting its own investigation in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Was there a gun involved?
Bradshaw stated the suspect had been hiding in some bushes, and that an “AK-47 style rifle with a scope” was hidden in the bushes in his hiding spot. Two backpacks with ceramic tile and a GoPro camera were also hidden.
Trump and the suspect “probably had 400-500 yards” separating them when the suspect was spotted, the sheriff said.
Trump was one hole away from the suspect
The sheriff detailed that the Secret Service routinely has an agent stationed one golf hole ahead of the former president, so they are able to scout out the area. This agent spotted the gun barrel sticking out of its hiding place and “immediately engage” the individual, prompting the suspect to flee.
Details on the suspect are not yet released
The suspect’s name is Ryan Wesley Routh. His photo and background will be released when available to the public.
Trump is safe and unharmed
A Secret Service representative confirmed the former president was not injured. The former president also released his own statement, saying, “I AM SAFE AND WELL. Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), said he spoke with Trump after the incident, and he was in “good spirits.”
Who should I contact if I have information related to the investigation?
Jeffrey Veltri, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, has directed the public to contact the office’s tip line at 1-(800)-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov if they have information to assist with the investigation.
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Veltri also advised the public to avoid the area around the golf course as the investigation continues. Bradshaw also assured that the authorities will make it “convenient” for the public to navigate to areas around the area, and there is “no more danger.”
In July, Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a rally, with a bullet grazing him by the ear. The shooting left one person, Corey Comperatore, dead and two others injured.
