Donald Trump assassination attempt: Former US President and Republican candidate for the November 2024 polls Donald Trump faced a second assassination attempt in two months as gunshots were heard outside a golf course in Florida where he was playing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on Sunday (September 15). The man who fired the shots, according to the authorities, pointed a rifle with a scope into Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach and was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.
How did the incident take place?
The incident occurred at around 1.30 pm local time as Secret Service agents spotted a person with AK-47 near the golf course. The Secret Service agents posted a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away. An agent opened fire and the gunman fled the spot in an SUV, dropping the rifle and leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. The man was later taken into custody in a neighbouring county. His motive is unclear yet.
Soon after the gunshots were heard at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the FBI said that it is "investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump". According to CNN, the officials believe the shots fired at Trump International Golf Club were intended for Trump.
Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close friend of Donald Trump, said on air that he spoke with the former President and his golf partner, Steve Witkoff, afterward. They told Hannity they had been on the fifth hole when they heard a “pop pop, pop pop.” Within seconds, he said Witkoff recounted, Secret Service agents “pounced on” Trump and “covered him” to protect him. Witkoff said that a “fast cart” with steel reinforcement and other protection was able to whisk Trump away.
What did the police say?
The police said that the gunman was nearly 400 yards to 500 yards away from Trump and hiding in shrubbery while the former President was playing a round of golf at Trump International Golf Club.
Ric Bradshaw, sheriff of Palm Beach County, said that when people get into the shrubbery around the course, “they’re pretty much out of sight.” Bradshaw said the entire golf course would have been lined with law enforcement if Trump were the sitting president, but because he’s not, “security is limited to the areas the Secret Service deems possible.”
Trump issues statement after 'assassination attempt', says he is fine
Trump, in a message to his supporters, said that he is safe and stressed that he will “never surrender”.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” said the former president.
White House issues statement
The White House said both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed about the incident.
"The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team," the White House said.
