Former President Donald Trump has escaped another assassination attempt, weeks after gunman opened fire at him In a campaign rally, injuring the Republican US presidential candidate.
The 78-year-old former president was playing a round of golf on one of his Florida courses on Sunday when the Secret Service agents stationed several holes ahead of Trump noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course.
Law enforcement officials said Trump came within 500 yards of the gunman, but an agent fired and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera.
Authorities said they arrested 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, of Kaaawa, Hawaii, minutes after the FBI and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office issued a “very urgent BOLO” – be-on-the-lookout alert – to the public.
Records show Routh lived in North Carolina for most of his life before moving to Hawaii in 2018.
Two years later, he made a social media post backing Trump’s re-election, but in more recent years his posts have expressed support for US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump, in an email to supporters on Sunday evening, said: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”
He added: “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Trump later shared a post on social media in which he thanked the Secret Service and local law enforcement for keeping him safe, calling them “brave and dedicated Patriots”.
Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” by the day’s events and that “we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence”.
Biden said he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety”
