Trump escapes unharmed after FBI foils assassination attempt
FBI foils armed suspect's assassination attempt on Trump at Florida golf course
Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, escaped unharmed on Sunday after the FBI foiled a suspected assassination attempt while he was golfing at his West Palm Beach course in Florida.
Secret service agents reportedly spotted an armed man hiding in the bushes a few hundred yards near Trump on the golf course’s perimeter.
Agents opened fire, causing the suspect to abandon an AK-47-style assault rifle, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera before fleeing in a vehicle. Authorities quickly apprehended the suspect.
The suspect has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, from Hawaii. His social media activity on platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn indicated strong support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Some posts suggested Routh was involved in recruiting soldiers for Ukraine.
This assassination comes just two months after Trump was targeted at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where he suffered a minor injury to his right ear.
These events underline the challenge of ensuring the safety of presidential candidates in a deeply polarised political climate. This is especially with just over seven weeks until the November 5 election.
Details on how the suspect knew Trump was golfing remain unclear. Nevertheless, this attempted attack is likely to raise new concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures protecting Trump.
The suspect attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and moved to Hawaii around 2018. Allegedly, he supported candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley before they withdrew from the election. Routh is known for criticising politicians like Putin, Trump, and President Joe Biden, as well as celebrities like Bruno Mars.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Irish Star reports on an attempted assassination of Donald Trump involving a 58-year-old gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, who was caught with an AK-47 near the former President at a golf club. (Read more)
- The Mirror US reports on Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, highlighting his background, motives, and the dramatic event’s details. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Was Donald Trump harmed during the assassination attempt?
No, he remained unharmed.
Where did the assassination attempt on Trump take place?
It took place at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in Florida.
Who is the suspect in the assassination attempt on Trump?
The suspect is Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, from Hawaii.
What did the suspect leave behind at the scene?
He left an AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera.
Has Trump been targeted in other recent incidents?
Yes, he was targeted at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania two months ago.
