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Former President Donald Trump, 78, was unharmed after an alleged gunman fired shots near him at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida, according to the FBI. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was apprehended following a traffic stop on Interstate 95.
According to a report on The Times, the Secret Service confirmed that agents opened fire on Routh after spotting a rifle barrel sticking out from the golf club's boundary fence. However, it remains unclear if any shots were aimed directly at Trump, who was playing golf nearby.
"We are not sure if the individual managed to fire at our agents," Secret Service spokesman Rafael Barros said during a press conference. A rifle, described as an AK-47-style weapon with a scope and attached GoPro camera, was recovered at the scene. Routh fled in a black Nissan but was captured shortly afterward.
In a message to supporters, Trump reassured them of his safety, stating, "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but I AM SAFE AND WELL!" He emphasized that he would not be deterred from continuing his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed "shock" at what he called a second assassination attempt on Trump, praising the swift response of U.S. law enforcement.
Bipartisan calls for heightened security for Trump have resurfaced following the incident. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who introduced legislation to enhance protections for major presidential candidates, reiterated the importance of increasing security measures for the former president.
Trump is scheduled to launch a new cryptocurrency platform, "World Liberty Financial," on Monday evening, with an event planned at Mar-a-Lago. There has been no confirmation whether his schedule will change following the attack.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Routh's background. A search of his former home in Greensboro, N.C., revealed previous convictions for carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest.
Trump publicly thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift actions, calling the response "outstanding." Despite the scare, the former president remains focused on his upcoming campaign events.
[Information sourced from The Times]
