WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ― Investigators on Sunday were probing what appears to be an assassination attempt on Donald Trump , the second one in two months. The Republican presidential candidate was safe following gunshots near his golf course in Florida, his campaign and U.S. Secret Service announced.
In a statement, the FBI said Sunday that it is investigating "what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump." The incident took place at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach where the former president was golfing shortly before 2 p.m., according to officials.
Authorities said a man stuck the barrel of a rifle through the fence at the edge of the golf course while the former president was golfing. Secret Service agents on the course spotted the weapon and opened fire on the man, who fled.
Authorities later said they identified the vehicle, a black Nissan, thanks to a bystander's photograph, and soon traced it to neighboring Martin County to the north. David Aronberg, state attorney for Palm Beach County, confirmed to USA TODAY that the suspect in custody is Ryan Routh, 58.
Following Sunday's assassination attempt, President Joe Biden vowed to make sure the Secret Service has "every resource" for Trump's safety, adding that "there is no place for political violence ."
"I am relieved that the former President is unharmed," Biden said. "There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country."
The Secret Service had an elevated presence around former President Donald Trump when he was golfing on Sunday and thwarted an alleged assassination attempt after an agent in front of him spotted a rifle through the shrubbery.
Experts say agents in West Palm Beach appeared to have handled the situation properly two months after the Secret Service was heavily criticized about an earlier assassination attempt in which a gunman with an AR-style rifle shot at the GOP nominee from about 150 yards away .
But the recent incident at one of Trump's golf clubs in Florida underscores the challenges in protecting a presidential candidate who likes to keep a high public profile – including hitting the links and holding outdoor rallies, those experts told USA TODAY.
“Generally, even for a sitting president, they will operate in the way that they did here,” said A.T. Smith, the deputy director of the Secret Service from 2012 to 2015. That means having agents do the best they can to accommodate other golfers, Smith said, while discreetly scouring the terrain for potential threats as Trump and his party continued playing. Read more here .
− Josh Meyer
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David Aronberg, state attorney for Palm Beach County, confirmed to USA TODAY that the suspect in custody is Ryan Routh, 58. He said his prosecutors were preparing an arrest warrant and pretrial detention for Routh when federal prosecutors told him they were taking over the case, so he backed off.
Aronberg also said an AK-47 rifle believed to belong to Routh was recovered at the scene. Aronberg said Routh appeared to be at least partly motivated by his strong support for Ukraine and its war against Russia. “He’s someone who obviously has some issues,” he said. "Normal people don’t commit crimes like this."
Public records indicate a man of that age named Ryan Routh lived in Hawaii, but voting records showed the same man as a longtime voter in North Carolina. State voting records show him casting ballots in general and municipal elections going back many cycles, including 2008 and 2012 − though not in 2016, when Trump first ran.
The same records show Routh voted most recently in the March primary election this year in Guilford County, North Carolina. A registered Democrat, he voted in person. Read more here .
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, said in a statement Sunday that she is thankful that Republican nominee Donald Trump is safe following the reported attempted assassination.
"I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence," Harris said. "I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance."
Harris' statement came on the heels of a similar statement President Joe Biden made earlier in the day.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw showed photos from the scene of what he said was an assassination attempt depicting a rifle, backpack, and GoPro camera.
He described the firearm as an AK-style rifle — a ubiquitous semi-automatic rifle designed with a curved detachable 30-round magazine. Firearms experts were quick Sunday to point out some of the features in the grainy photo suggest the rifle is a Soviet cousin to the AK, the SKS. It was designed in the 1940s by another famous Russian designer, Sergey Simonov.
The SKS was a slightly older rifle than the AKs with replicas sold worldwide in the civilian market. Traditionally, the SKS came with a 10-round "fixed magazine" a distinguishing feature from the detachable, curved 30-round magazines on AKs.
The wooded scene photos showed a black "sporterized" modern SKS, with a detachable magazine. It had a scope added for longer-range shooting and appeared to have a "Monte Carlo" stock to fit better to a shooter’s cheek.
Firearms experts at The Military Wire called the weapon a 7.62x39mm SKS rifle with black synthetic stock. That’s the same ammunition as most AKs.
Notably, an SKS was used in the 2017 Congressional baseball game shooting that wounded U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, a police officer, aide, and lobbyist.
Some firearms experts called the weapon an "eclectic" and odd choice. Other gun lobby groups pointed out Sunday the weapon would not be covered by a so-called assault weapons ban since it had no foregrip, pistol grip, or detachable stock which have been targeted by the proposal as distinguishing features.
Donald Trump’s campaign sent an email Sunday evening touching on the assassination attempt against the former president earlier in the day. The message includes a link that takes supporters to a site where they can donate to the Trump campaign.
“My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!” Trump says in the email. “I will never slow down. I will never give up. I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!”
The email includes two large red “MAGA” buttons. Clicking on them takes supporters to the site where they can donate. The site includes another message from Trump.
The message included suggested donation amounts up to $3,300.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on social media Sunday that his state will be “conducting its own investigation” into what authorities are describing as an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald 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.
-- Zac Anderson
Bomb squad examined vehicle driven by suspect in attempted Trump assassination
Martin County deputies held the man until the FBI and Secret Service arrived and took him away. While he was detained, the St. Lucie bomb squad examined the suspect’s vehicle. Three counties in the region all use the St. Lucie bomb squad.
"He picked the wrong county to drive through if he was planning on getting away," Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told reporters.
-- Sarah D. Wire
Biden on new Trump assassination attempt: 'No place for political violence'
President Joe Biden said Sunday evening “there is no place for political violence” in the U.S. following the second assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump.
Biden, in a written statement, said he has been briefed by his team regarding what federal law enforcement officials are investigating as a possible assassination attempt against Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
Biden commended the work of the Secret Service and its law enforcement partners “for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe.”
“I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened,” Biden said. “As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country.”
Biden said he has directed the federal government to continue to ensure the Secret Service has “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) posted on X , that he and his wife met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate this afternoon.
“We just spent a few hours with President Trump and are thanking God for protecting him today — once again. No leader in American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable,” Johnson said. He attached a photo of them with Trump.
Other Hill leaders have said they were briefed by Secret Service about the incident. Johnson is the first to say he has spoken directly with Trump.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he was briefed by the acting director of the Secret Service about the shooting.
He applauded the agency's quick response, and reiterated Harris' point earlier in the day that there is no place for political violence in the U.S. before saying, "the perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
As the Palm Beach sheriff explained at Sunday's news conference, the golf course would have been "surrounded" by law enforcement if Trump were the sitting president, but because he's a candidate that area is much smaller.
Some are already saying that needs to change amid a hotly contested election defined by divisive rhetoric.
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said the Secret Service should change its policy and treat Trump like he's an incumbent with a larger protective perimeter around him. "Stop being bureaucratic," he said on X. "Do what’s necessary."
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, who is Trump's running mate in the 2024 election, said he spoke with him before news about the shooting was made public.
Trump, "was, amazingly, in good spirits," he said in a post on X.
"Still much we don't know, but I'll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude," Vance added.
-- Phillip Bailey
A police vehicle blocks the street outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024 following a shooting incident at former President Donald Trump's golf course. Trump's campaign reported Sunday that there had been "gunshots in his vicinity" but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. Chandan Khanna, AFP via Getty Images
Asked by reporters how this incident could occur, especially given the previous attempt on Trump's life, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the golf course as being "surrounded by shrubbery" with a limited perimeter.
"When somebody gets into the shrubbery, they're pretty much out of sight," he said.
Because Trump is not a sitting president, Bradshaw said, "security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible," but that will likely change in the future.
"I would imagine the next time he comes at a golf course, there'll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter, but the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done. They provided exactly what the protection should have been, and their agent did a fantastic job."
-- Phillip Bailey
Palm Beach sheriff's deputies divert traffic away from Congress Avenue which leads to the front of Trump International Golf Club on Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach where the FBI is investigating an attempted assassination of Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, 2024. Damon Higgins, The Palm Beach Daily News via USA TODAY Network
A member of the bipartisan congressional assassination task force is calling on the U.S. Secret Service to brief lawmakers this week after a second assassination attempt at Trump in as many months.
“As I’ve said before, the July 13 assassination attempt was not an isolated incident that we can take our time investigating as domestic and foreign threats are ongoing," Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Florida, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The panel, which consists of six Democrats and seven Republicans, was established to look into the attempted assassination in Pennsylvania.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the Secret Service had less protection at the golf course for Donald Trump because he was a former President and not a current one – but that the agency did everything it was supposed to do to protect him.
“You got to understand, the golf course is surrounded by shrubbery, so when somebody gets into the shrubbery, they're pretty much out of sight, and at this level that he is at right now, he's not the sitting present,” Bradshaw said at the news conference. “If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded.”
“But because he's not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” Bradshaw said. “So I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there'll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter.”
“But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done,” Bradshaw told reporters. “They provided exactly what the protection should have been, and their agent did a fantastic job” in responding to the suspect.
-- Josh Meyer
Florida lawmaker wants Secret Service to brief Congress this week
A member of the bipartisan congressional assassination task force is calling on the U.S. Secret Service to brief lawmakers this week after a second assassination attempt at Trump in as many months.
“As I’ve said before, the July 13 assassination attempt was not an isolated incident that we can take our time investigating as domestic and foreign threats are ongoing," Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Florida, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The panel, which consists of six Democrats and seven Republicans, was established to look into the attempted assassination in Pennsylvania.
-- Phillip Bailey
'We had a tag, we had a vehicle description' and 'we got the guy'
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw praised the Secret Service for noticing a suspicious person and opening fire on him – and also local and federal officials for working together to capture him.
“I just want to tell you, the Secret Service, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office have been fantastic to work with,” Bradshaw said at a news conference Sunday. “And I can tell you right now, our agency, with this real time crime center, was fabulous. That's how we got the guy.”
“We started out with ‘We don't know anything’ to where we had a tag, we had a vehicle description, and we got an area where we saw the person,” Bradshaw said. “So be proud. Be proud of your law enforcement.”
--Josh Meyer
Officials: Secret Service engaged gunman, AK-47 style weapon found
U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman located near the property line of the golf source after seeing a rifle, according to law enforcement officials who spoke at a press conference Sunday afternoon.
Agents found an AK-47 styled rifle, a scope, backpack and a GoPro camera on the scene, officials said. Trump was on the golf course at the time, and was roughly 400 to 500 yards away from where the would-be assailant was.
The suspect is now in custody, officials said.
Pictures of evidence found at the fence of former President Donald Trump's golf course are shown at a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024, following a shooting incident. Trump's campaign reported Sunday that there had been "gunshots in his vicinity" but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. Chandan Khanna, AFP via Getty Images
Witness: 'I took a picture of the vehicle and the tag '
A witness saw the alleged gunman running from the golf course bushes and took a picture of his vehicle that led to the suspect’s quick apprehension, the Palm Beach County sheriff said at Sunday's news conference.
“We are able to catch a witness that came to us and said, ‘Hey, I saw the guy running out of the bushes, he jumped into a black Nissan and I took a picture of the vehicle and the tag,’ which was great,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
As a result, they were able to alert the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, who detained the suspect. The witness also was able to then identify the alleged gunman.
Who was Trump golfing with?
Before the shooting began Trump was golfing with longtime friend and real estate baron Steven Witkoff, according to multiple reports.
Witkoff gave a heartfelt speech about Trump at the Republican convention in Milwaukee back in August. He said he reached out to the former president after the assassination attempt in July, and was surprised when Trump picked up.
"I know this man very well," Witkoff said. "President Trump is as kind and compassionate a man as I've ever met my lifetime."
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally in the 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial on August 30, 2024 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Trump: 'I am safe and well'
In a fundraising email sent out roughly an hour after the incident, Trump said there were gunshots in his vicinity, "but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I am safe and well!"
Fox News host Sean Hannity has developed a close relationship with Trump and conveyed having a brief conversation with the GOP nominee on Sunday. He joined a live broadcast after speaking with the former president.
Trump checked to see if others were OK, Hannity said, but then joked about wanting to finish the round.
"I guess in typical, 'fight, fight, fight' fashion Trump said... 'I really wanted to finish the hole,'" Hannity said.
This incident occurred two months after the former president was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13. That incident sparked an investigation and caused the resignation of then Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who had led the agency since 2022.
In the subsequent weeks, Trump has increased security at his events with him often speaking behind bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies.
I hate Trump’s politics and I dislike him immensely as a human being but I don’t wish him harm or death. Instead, I wish him a sudden and severe case of diarrhea with hard and frequent sneezing while he’s putting on the 7th hole on one of his golf courses.
Lithuanian Observer
1d ago
This incident is a textbook example of good vs evil. Biden and Harris praise law enforcement for their quick response and good work. They also express their thankfulness that Trump was unharmed. Trump turns this incident into a campaign fundraiser instead of denouncing violence.
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