Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI described as an attempted assassination at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This incident occurred just nine weeks after another assassination attempt on the Republican presidential nominee.
Trump confirmed he was unharmed and safe, and authorities have detained a suspect.
He wrote: “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!”
“Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
“I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you.”
U.S. Secret Service agents, stationed a few holes away from where Trump was playing, noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle protruding from the shrubbery about 400 yards away.
An agent fired, causing the gunman to drop the rifle and flee in an SUV, leaving behind the firearm, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera, seemingly intent on filming the attack, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. These items are now being processed as evidence.
The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, had an AK-47 assault rifle and was approximately 300-500 yards away from Trump.
In a tweet shared in June 2020, Routh called out Trump.
He wrote: “@realDonaldTrump While you were my choice in 2106, I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving; are you retarded; I will be glad when you gone.”
Routh’s motives and his previous statements about Trump, including the tweet from June 2020, are being examined.
The investigation is ongoing, and Routh remains in custody.
