Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, arrives at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Alex Brandon / AP
The FBI said former President Donald Trump was the target of what the agency said “appears to be an attempted assassination” on Sunday afternoon at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
A suspect, identified by local officials as Ryan Wesley Routh, is in custody.
In a news conference on Sunday, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the Secret Service alerted local authorities about multiple gunshots at the course around 1:30 p.m. ET.
According to Bradshaw, a Secret Service agent who was stationed one hole ahead of Trump spotted an AK-style rifle sticking out of a fence at the golf course. The agent “immediately engaged” with the person holding the rifle. That’s when the suspect took off in a black Nissan. A spokesperson for the Secret Service said agents opened fire at the individual.
Related: Local officer encountered gunman just before he shot toward Trump at rally
Bradshaw said the suspect was about 300 to 500 yards from Trump. “With a rifle and scope like that, it’s not a long distance,” he said. He added that the suspect left two book bags and a GoPro camera.
A witness was able to provide authorities with the suspect’s car model and license plate, according to Bradshaw. Officers later located Routh on Interstate 95.
Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder told WPLG that the suspect was “relatively calm” when detained. “He was not displaying a lot of emotions. Never asked, ‘What is this about?’” Snyder added.
In July, the Republican presidential nominee was wounded in an assassination attempt by a gunshot at a rally in Butler, Pa.
Trump ‘safe and well’
In an email sent out by his campaign, Trump wrote “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!”
Trump later wrote on Truth Social to “thank everyone for your concern and well wishes,” and wrote, “It was certainly an interesting day!”
Trump’s post continued: “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!”
Related: FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said he spoke to Trump after the shooting. “I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” he wrote on X.
Local officials said the whole golf course would have been surrounded if it had been a sitting president. But for a presidential nominee, there were only some Secret Service agents with him and the shrubbery surrounding the golf course made detection harder.
“The threat level is high,” Rafael Barros, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office, told news reporters, adding that “we have increased the amount of assets.” He added, “We live in dangerous times.”
The White House said President Biden and Vice President Harris were also briefed about the security incident at the Trump International golf course.
“They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the statement said. Attorney General Merrick Garland has also been briefed and is monitoring the situation, his office said.
The Secret Service also briefed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about the incident, and he praised the Secret Service for their quick work.
“There is no place in this country for political violence of any kind. The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said in a statement.
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