FBI investigating apparent 'assassination' attempt on Donald Trump at Florida golf course

Former U.S. President Donald faced another attempted assassination at his golf course in Florida on Sep. 15 (Singapore time), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said.

Trump was unharmed in the incident, his campaign said. Trump added that he himself was "safe and well" in an alert on his campaign page.

The U.S. Secret Service said that they opened fire at a gunman located near the property line of Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach, Florida.

The incident happened at around 2am Singapore time.

What happened

Trump was playing golf at the course and was within 300 to 500 yards (approximately 270 to 450 meters) of the gunman, CNBC and CNN reported.

After shots were fired, a witness saw someone flee and jump into a black Nissan vehicle.

Trump was taken to his Palm Beach resort home, Mar-a-Lago, after the shooting.

Law enforcement officials latter found an AK-47 style rifle with a scope in the bushes. Two backpacks with ceramic tile inside, and a GoPro camera was found fastened to the fence.

The suspect arrested was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58.

Suspect was calm when detained

The suspect was described as "relatively calm" when detained, Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder said.

He added: "He was not displaying a lot of emotions. Never asked, ‘What is this about?'"

Routh had displayed strong support for Ukraine in dozens of posts in 2022, CNN reported, saying that he was willing to fight and die for Ukraine, The New York Times reported.

According to AP, Routh had a Twitter (now X) account where he expressed support for Trump and Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic politician who since left the party and supports Trump, but also President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden and Harris reactions

Biden and Harris both commented on the incident.

I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today.

A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their…

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 16, 2024

"A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe," Biden wrote on X.

He added in reply that there "is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in" America.

Harris said she was "glad" Trump was safe.

I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024

"Violence has no place in America," she wrote.

Top photo via brokebackUS/X and LakotaMan1/X