Former US President Donald Trump was the victim of a new assassination attempt on Sunday after an individual, who was detained by the Secret Service and did not shoot, approached the golf course where the Republican candidate was playing, armed with an AK-47 rifle with a telescopic sight.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that what happened at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, is being investigated as an apparent “attempted murder.”
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. (17:30 GMT) and the first thing that was known, from the Republican campaign, a few minutes later, was that the former president (2017-2021) was fine.
“Shots were fired near me, but before the rumors start to get out of hand, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND OK!” Trump later said in a statement. “Nothing will stop me. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!” he added.
At a press conference held around 5:00 p.m. (21:00 GMT), Sheriff Ric Bradshaw offered the first official details and it was learned that it was Secret Service agents who saw a man with a rifle next to the fence of the golf course belonging to Trump, where he was playing, about 300-500 meters away.
Shooting
The Secret Service shot him and he ran from some bushes where he was hiding to the vehicle he tried to escape in, a black pickup truck whose license plate a witness managed to photograph.
As a result, the individual was arrested a few minutes later on the road in his vehicle. The weapon was found in the bushes, as well as two backpacks and a GoPro sports camera.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been officially made public, but both Fox News and the New York Post report that he has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.
Law enforcement officials said at the news conference that the golf course is surrounded by bushes and that when someone hides in them, they are virtually “out of sight.” They said security is limited to the area the Secret Service deems feasible and that the organization “did what it had to do.”
In a statement, the White House said that US President Joe Biden and Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris were briefed “on the security incident.”
“They are relieved to know that he is safe. His team will keep them informed regularly,” the Presidency said.
Moment
Through X, Harris, who will face Trump in the November 5 election, said she was glad the former president was safe. “Violence has no place in America,” she said.
Also via X, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, said he spoke to him before the news was made public and that he was “surprisingly in good spirits.”
“There’s still a lot we don’t know, but tonight I’ll hug my kids tight and say a prayer of gratitude,” she said.
The outcome of today’s assassination attempt was very different from what happened on July 13, when Trump was injured during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after a 20-year-old man shot him with a rifle, wounding him in the right ear.
The Secret Service shot and killed the attacker, who fired from a high position outside the compound, where one member of the audience died from a gunshot wound.
Resignations
The incident led to numerous resignations over security breaches, including that of the then director of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle.
Cheatle eventually resigned ten days later over security lapses at the meeting, saying the assassination attempt was the agency’s “biggest operational failure” in decades.
Following this, the Secret Service approved a plan to increase Trump’s security, which includes the use of bulletproof glass screens at his outdoor events, as well as increasing the number of security personnel accompanying him.
Miami / EFE
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2024-09-18 02:55:13
– How did Donald Trump survive the assassination attempt at the golf course in Florida?
Table of Contents
Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt at Golf Course in Florida
Former US President Donald Trump was the target of an attempted murder on Sunday when an individual armed with an AK-47 rifle approached the golf course where Trump was playing. The Secret Service swiftly intervened, detaining the individual and preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that the incident at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, is being investigated as an “attempted murder.” The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. (17:30 GMT), and Trump was confirmed to be safe shortly after.
Statement from Trump
In a statement, Trump reassured the public of his safety, saying, “Shots were fired near me, but before the rumors start to get out of hand, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND OK! Nothing will stop me. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!”
Details of the Incident
According to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who held a press conference later that day, Secret Service agents spotted a man with a rifle near the fence of the golf course, approximately 300-500 meters away from Trump. The agents shot at the individual, who fled to a nearby vehicle, a black pickup truck. A witness managed to photograph the license plate, leading to the suspect’s arrest a few minutes later.
Suspect and Evidence
Although the suspect’s identity has not been officially confirmed, multiple sources, including Fox News and the New York Post, have identified him as Ryan Wesley Routh. Law enforcement officials found the AK-47 rifle, two backpacks, and a GoPro sports camera in the bushes where the suspect was hiding.
Reaction from Authorities and Politicians
The White House released a statement confirming that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the security incident. “They are relieved to know that he is safe. His team will keep them informed regularly,” the Presidency said.
Harris, who will face Trump in the November 5 election, expressed her relief that Trump was safe, tweeting, “Violence has no place in America.” Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, also tweeted, saying he spoke to Trump before the news was made public and that he was “surprisingly in good spirits.”
Context and Comparison
This incident marks the second time Trump has been targeted in recent months. On July 13, Trump was injured during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old man shot him with a rifle, wounding him in the right ear. The Secret Service shot and killed the attacker, who fired from a high position outside the compound, resulting in the death of one member of the audience. The incident led to numerous resignations over security breaches.
Takeaway
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump serves as a stark reminder of the threats and risks faced by public figures and the importance of robust security measures. The swift response of the Secret Service undoubtedly saved Trump’s life, and their actions will be scrutinized and analyzed in the coming days. As the investigation unfolds, the public will be watching closely for updates and insights into this disturbing event.
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– What security measures are in place at Trump’s golf course to prevent assassination attempts?
Break-In Attempt on Trump’s Golf Course: Former President Survives Assassination Bid
The United States was left reeling on Sunday after an individual armed with an AK-47 rifle attempted to breach the security of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump was playing. The shocking incident has been confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as an apparent “attempted murder.”
Shots Fired Near Trump
At around 1:30 p.m. (17:30 GMT), Secret Service agents spotted a man lurking near the golf course fence, approximately 300-500 meters away from Trump’s location. The agents shot the individual, who then fled to his vehicle, a black pickup truck. A quick-thinking witness managed to photograph the license plate, leading to the suspect’s swift arrest.
Suspect Apprehended and Weapon Recovered
The suspect, identified by Fox News and the New York Post as Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested a few minutes later on the road in his vehicle. The AK-47 rifle, along with two backpacks and a GoPro sports camera, was found in the bushes where the individual was initially hiding.
Trump’s Response
In a statement, Trump reassured his supporters that he was safe and sound. “Shots were fired near me, but before the rumors start to get out of hand, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND OK!” he said, adding, “Nothing will stop me. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!”
Investigation Underway
The FBI has launched a full-scale investigation into the attempted assassination, with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw providing initial details at a press conference. Law enforcement officials emphasized that the golf course’s security measures are limited to areas deemed feasible by the Secret Service.
White House Response
The White House issued a statement, saying that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the security incident. “They are relieved to know that he is safe. His team will keep them informed regularly,” the Presidency said.
Reactions from Political Leaders
In the wake of the incident, Kamala Harris expressed her relief that Trump was safe, stating, “Violence has no place in America.” Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, also commented on the incident, saying, “There’s still a lot we don’t know, but tonight I’ll hug my kids tight and say a prayer of gratitude.”
Previous Security Breach
This incident brings to mind a previous security breach that occurred on July 13, when Trump was injured during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after a 20-year-old man shot him with a rifle, wounding him in the right ear. The Secret Service shot and killed the attacker, and the incident led to numerous resignations, including that of the then-director of the US Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle.
As the investigation into this latest incident continues, Americans are left grappling with the implications of political violence and the importance of robust security measures to protect public figures.
Optimized Keywords: Donald Trump, assassination attempt, Secret Service, FBI, Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Florida, security breach, political violence.