The alleged gunman behind "what appears to be an attempted assassination" on former President Donald Trump has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh. Routh is accused of attempting to shoot the businessman while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, near his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The identity of the suspect was confirmed by law enforcement officials, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation. Secret Service agents fired at the suspect, who was apprehended after fleeing the scene of what the FBI is terming an apparent attempted assassination of the Republican presidential nominee.
Authorities are currently trying to establish a motive. The US Secret Service has confirmed that ex-President Donald Trump is safe following the shooting which saw emergency services rush to the scene and shots fired at a man believed to be armed with an assault rifle.
It is thought to have happened after a Secret Service agent walking several holes ahead of the President on the course spotted a rifle barrel in a treeline and alerted the rest of Trump's protection team. The former president has stated that he is "safe and well " following the incident and expressed his enduring love for his supporters, saying he will "always love" his supporters.
Two law enforcement officials reported that the Secret Service opened fire after spotting a person with a firearm near Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach while he was golfing on Sunday.
A suspect involved in firing shots fled the area in an SUV, and was later detained by police in a neighbouring county, as disclosed by officials close to the investigation who requested anonymity due to not being permitted to speak publicly about the ongoing case. A weapon, described as an AK-style firearm, was found near President Trump's golf course, these officials confirmed along with a third authority.
In response to the incident, Trump issued a statement: "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! 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."
