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Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped harm in what authorities are calling an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf resort on Sunday afternoon. The details surrounding the incident remain scarce, but law enforcement quickly apprehended a suspect believed to be involved.
Secret Service agents were forced to take drastic action when they spotted a rifle barrel poking out from behind a bush. They opened fire, neutralizing the potential threat. Fortunately, former President Trump was at a considerable distance – around 300-500 yards away – and out of harm’s way.
According to a witness, the suspect – identified by US media as Ryan Routh – made a daring escape after being fired upon by Secret Service agents. The witness described how Routh emerged from the bushes and quickly jumped into a black Nissan car, fleeing the scene.
Police found an assortment of gear at the scene, including an AK47-style firearm with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera. This equipment is likely to be crucial in understanding the suspect’s intentions.
The quick-thinking witness snapped a photo of the vehicle and its license plate, providing crucial information that would later lead to its interception in Martin County, north of the club.
“We got a hold of Martin County Sheriff’s Office, alerted them, and they spotted the vehicle and pulled it over and detained the guy,” said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County.
“After that, we took the witness that witnessed the incident, flew him up there and he identified as the person that he saw running out of the bushes, that jumped into the car,” the sheriff told a news briefing.
The exact nature of the gunman’s actions remains unclear, with authorities still investigating whether he fired shots directly at former President Trump or the Secret Service agents protecting him.
“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents, but for sure our agents were able to engage with the suspect,” said Rafael Barros from the Secret Service Miami Field Office.
In an email to his supporters, Trump said he was “safe and well”.
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“Nothing will slow me down,” he wrote. “I will never surrender!”
It’s been just two months since a gunman opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, hitting him in the ear. Now, another incident has occurred, raising fresh concerns.
In a laconic yet intriguing post on X, the Secret Service confirmed that it’s looking into a “protective incident” tied to Donald Trump, an episode that played out mere moments before 2 p.m. EST on Sunday – a term that implies a threat to the former president’s well-being.
