World
Donald Trump: What we know about the gunman after shots at golf course – as FBI investigate ‘apparent assassination attempt’
The suspect who has been arrested in connection with an “apparent assassination attempt” on Donald Trump has been named.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was identified by three senior law enforcement officials, Sky News’s US partner network NBC News reported.
He is believed to be the man shot at by the US Secret Service after gunshots were heard near to where Mr Trump was playing at his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach just after 1.30pm local time on Sunday.
Election latest: Trump ‘safe’ after ‘gunshots in his vicinity’
An AK-47 type assault rifle weapon and a scope, two backpacks and a GoPro device were recovered at the scene, Palm Beach County sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a news conference.
It comes just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee was injured after another such attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July.
Pic: Ryan Routh/Facebook
What do we know so far?
Just after 7.30pm UK time, the Trump campaign released a statement to say Mr Trump was “safe following gunshots in his vicinity”.
It is believed Mr Trump was taking part in a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach at the time the shots were heard.
The FBI later confirmed it was investigating what “appears to be an attempted assassination of former president Trump”.
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Secret Service spotted rifle, media told
Palm Beach County sheriff Mr Bradshaw said the gunman was about 400 to 500 yards away from Mr Trump and hidden in shrubbery while the former president played golf at a nearby hole.
He said the Secret Service agent – who was patrolling the course ahead of Mr Trump – spotted a rifle barrel coming out of a perimeter fence surrounding the course.
“He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” Mr Bradshaw said.
Officials said it remains unclear whether the suspect fired first – or fired at all – or whether only the Secret Service fired.
Photos that show an AK-47 rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera. Pic: AP
Police ‘surrounded vehicle’ of suspect
A witness spotted a man, believed to be Routh, fleeing the scene in a black Nissan SUV and managed to take photos of the car and number plate. Police then alerted the neighbouring Martin County Sheriff’s Office which pulled over the vehicle and detained the suspect.
Police stop a vehicle believed to have been used by the suspect to flee the scene. Pic: Reuters
Martin County sheriff William Snyder told reporters his officers followed the suspect vehicle for a while before making a “felony stop”.
“Our road units picked the vehicle up and we waited a while. We didn’t stop him right away. We didn’t want a high-speed chase,” he said.
“So we were able to wait until we had adequate units, surrounded the vehicle, and forced it to a stop.”
Martin County sheriff William Snyder
A witness said he saw “20 or more cop cars flying from nearby streets” as he described the emergency response outside Mr Trump’s golf course.
“From what I saw, five black unmarked SUVs blocked in a grey Mercedes in front of the golf course,” Max Egusquiza told the AP news agency.
“There were about 20 or more cop cars flying from nearby streets,” he said.
Suspect was ‘lying in wait’
Mr Snyder told WPTV that Routh was “not armed” when he was taken out of the car.
He said he had a calm, flat demeanour and showed little emotion when he was stopped.
“The suspect did not question why he was being pulled over,” Mr Snyder said.
Palm Beach State’s Attorney Dave Aronberg later told MSNBC that Routh was “lying in wait” for Mr Trump and aimed at the Secret Service until the agent fired at him.
He said Routh was “pretty quiet” and “pretty compliant” with officers when they pulled him over and isn’t sure if he has said anything since he was taken into custody.
Mr Aronberg said he does not believe Routh would have to fire a shot in order for him to be charged with attempted assassination.
Mr Trump’s motorcade near the golf club
What has Trump said?
Mr Trump was taken back to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach after the scare.
He later said in a fundraising email that he was safe.
“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.”
Donald Trump is safe after “gunshots in his vicinity”, according to his campaign team.
Mr Trump’s Republican running mate, vice presidential nominee JD Vance, said he will be hugging his children “extra tight” and “saying a prayer of gratitude” after what appears to be an attempt on Mr Trump’s life.
“I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Mr Vance wrote on X.
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“Still much we don’t know, but I’ll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.”
Meanwhile, senator Lindsey Graham, one of Mr Trump’s top congressional allies, posted on X to say he is in “good spirits” after speaking with him.
Has the White House responded?
Shortly after details of the “apparent assassination attempt” emerged, the White House said in a statement: “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.”
President Joe Biden later said in a statement that he had been briefed on the “apparent assassination attempt” and was “relieved that the former president is unharmed”.
President Joe Biden at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards Dinner on Saturday. Pic: AP
“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,” he said, adding that he has directed his team “to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety”.
Kamala Harris, the vice president and Democratic presidential nominee, also said she was “glad” her rival for the presidency was safe after gunshots were heard “in his vicinity”.
Writing on X, she said: “Violence has no place in America.”
Ms Harris’s running mate Tim Walz said he and his wife Gwen were “glad to hear” the former president was safe.