PALM BEACH, FL – An alleged assassination attempt at former President Donald Trump’s Florida golf club is currently under investigation by the FBI. The incident marks the second attempt on Trump’s life within a span of two months.
The Trump campaign confirmed that the former president was unhurt during the incident, which took place on Sunday at the Trump International Golf Club. Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff, reported that the Secret Service had informed his office at around 1:30 pm ET of gunshots being fired at an individual spotted with a rifle stationed in the club’s perimeter bushes. Subsequently, Donald Trump was on the golf course, transitioning between holes five and six.
A rifle barrel complete with a scope poking out of the golf course fence was spotted by a Secret Service agent who instantly confronted the individual, according to Sheriff Bradshaw. The agent, part of a team stationed ahead of Trump on the golf course, discovered the individual stationed 300 to 500 yards away from Donald Trump.
Upon confrontation, this individual fled the scene in a car which was noticed by a witness, aiding local authorities in tracking the escaping vehicle as it headed north on I-95 in Martin County, Palm Beach’s northern neighbor. The witness helped substantially by providing information and a picture of the vehicle and its license plate. The details helped the Martin County Sheriff’s Office detain the suspect and verify their identity through the witness.
David Aronberg, Palm Beach County’s State Attorney, noted the suspect maintained silence during the detainment. Ryan Wesley Routh was identified as the alleged suspect by multiple law enforcement sources. A self-employed affordable housing builder in Hawaii, Routh has used social media platforms to discuss politics and current events critically at times, including his rejection of the former president’s stances.
Recently, his support for Ukraine has grown after Russia’s full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Evidence of his travel to Ukraine was confirmed through images and video footage directed to Kyiv’s Independence Square.