Newsman: The FBI is investigating what it called an “attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump after Secret Service agents fired at a man with an AK-47 rifle on or near Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, golf course on Sunday. The former president was “safe.” In a post on Truth Social on Sunday night,Donald Trump thanked law enforcement for an “incredible” response to what the FBI described as an assassination attempt.
The suspect in relation to the potential assassination attempt 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was detained by Florida authorities .Authorities are now probing for more details on the would-be shooter. An “AK-47-style rifle,” two backpacks were found at the scene with a GoPro camera and ceramic tiles inside according to the law enforcement authorities.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that the gunman got as close as 300 to 500 yards away from the former president when he was spotted, and agents fired four to six rounds at him before he dropped the gun and fled. It was not clear if the suspect was aiming his weapon at Trump.
After being shot at by Secret Service agents, officials said that the suspect got into a vehicle, and witnesses reported the license plate number, which was tracked by authorities. Bradshaw said that the suspect was stopped and taken into custody.
The incident comes around two months after Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a statement Sunday evening saying the state will conduct its own investigation into the assassination attempt against Trump.
“The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” DeSantis wrote on X.
Former President Donald Trump thanked law enforcement in a post on Truth Social on Sunday night.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE.”
“THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” he wrote
