Trump Unharmed as Suspect in Custody

Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday at his Florida golf course, where shots were fired by a suspect who is now in custody. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating the incident as an attempted assassination, with Secret Service officers opening fire on the gunman near the property line of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach.

Trump was playing golf at the time of the incident and was within close proximity to the gunman, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. The suspect in custody has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, who law enforcement officials believe was involved in the attempted attack.

Details are still emerging about the motive behind the assassination attempt, as well as where the suspect was aiming and whether any shots were fired. Trump was quickly moved to a safe location when the shots rang out, and his motorcade returned to his Palm Beach resort home, Mar-a-Lago, shortly after the incident.

Law enforcement officers found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks with ceramic tile inside, and a GoPro camera fastened to a fence near the scene of the crime. A witness reported seeing a person fleeing the area and getting into a black Nissan vehicle, which was later tracked down by authorities on Interstate 95.

The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was detained by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office after being pulled over on the highway. Routh, 58, appeared calm and emotionless when taken into custody, according to Sheriff William Snyder. The FBI is now leading the investigation into the assassination attempt and is fully dedicated to uncovering the details surrounding the incident.

This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in just over two months, following a similar incident at a Pennsylvania rally where Trump sustained a minor injury. Despite the close call, Trump’s schedule for the upcoming week remains unchanged, according to a source familiar with the situation.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the incident and are receiving regular updates. Harris expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and condemned violence in all forms, emphasizing that it has no place in America.

Support and well-wishes have poured in for Trump from his allies and colleagues, with many expressing gratitude that he is safe. A congressional task force has requested a briefing from the Secret Service on their response to the incident and continues to condemn political violence in all its forms.

As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to come to light regarding the motives and circumstances surrounding the attempted assassination of the former President.