17/09/24
Trump 'assassination bid': Everything we know so far on second shooting attempt
Authorities in Florida say they have arrested a man after an apparent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
The Republican candidate had been playing a round of golf at Trump International Golf Course at West Palm Beach on Sunday when gunshots were heard. The suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was reportedly found hidden in bushes when he was shot at by US Secret Service, although it's unclear whether he himself had fired shots.
The shock news comes nine weeks after the assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was gunned down. The Trump campaign later released a statement at around 7.30pm UK time to confirm the 78-year-old was "safe following gunshots in his vicinity".
An AK-47 assault rifle, scope, two backpacks and GoPro camera were recovered from the scene on Sunday, Palm Beach County sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a news conference following the shooting. Routh, 58, was taken into custody for questioning.
It's understood Trump was taking part in a round of golf when gunshots were heard. The FBI said it was investigating what appeared to be "an attempted assassination of former president Trump". Sheriff Bradshaw said the assailant was 400-500 yards away from Trump at the time, when the barrel of a rifle was spotted poking out of the perimeter of a fence by a patrolling Secret Service agent.
A man believed to be the gunman was later spotted fleeing the scene in a black Nissan SUV, which was pulled over by officers for neighbouring Martin County. The suspect was "not armed" when he was taken out of the car, Sheriff William Snyder said.
What do we know about the suspect?
Ryan Wesley Routh is a registered voter reported to have voted for Trump in 2016, but who more recently appears to have made 19 small donations totalling around $140 (£106) to ActBlue - an organisation supporting the Democrats. Routh is reported to be a pro-Ukraine activist who has a conviction in 2002 for possessing a machine gun.
Local news in North Carolina reported how a man named Ryan Routh led police on a car chase before being later arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. His voting record shows he most recently voted in person in the state's Democratic primary in March this year.
His son, Oran Routh, told media he was a "loving and caring father" and a "honest, hardworking man". He told CNN it was unlike his father to "do anything crazy, much less violent" and that he had hoped "everything has been blown out of proportion".
Routh's Facebook profile lists him as currently living in Kaawa, Hawaii, but originally from Greensboro, NC. Posts appear to have since been removed from the profile. The Times reports he had previously posted on social media shortly after the July assassination attempt, writing: "I will be glad when you are gone."
In a post on X in July, he wrote: "While you were my choice in 2016, I and the world hoped that President Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointed and it seems you are getting worse and devolving."
How has Trump and the White House reacted?
Trump said in a fundraising email on Sunday that he was safe, claiming he would "never surrender". He wrote: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!" the email said.
"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."
Sunday's incident came shortly after Trump went on a bizarre rant on his social media platform, Truth Social, writing: "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT." The rant may be in reference to the star's recent endorsement of his rival candidate Kamala Harris last week.
President Joe Biden meanwhile has been briefed on the incident, saying he was "relieved" the former president was unharmed, adding: "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country." Harris meanwhile reiterated "violence has no place in America", saying she was "glad" her opponent was safe.
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