Trump safe after attempted assassination near his Florida golf course

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe after multiple shots were fired near his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, according to two sources briefed on the incident.

The shots originated outside the fence line of the course, the sources said. Trump's campaign had earlier said he was safe following gunshots in his vicinity but gave no details.

The Associated Press reported that US Secret Service agents opened fire after seeing a person with a firearm near Trump’s golf club, citing two unnamed law enforcement sources, adding that no injuries were reported.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report, which said that the suspect fled in an SUV and was apprehended in another county. CNN quoted Martin County Sheriff William Snyder as saying his agency apprehended the suspect sought by Palm Beach County.

The Secret Service said it was investigating the incident, which occurred shortly before 2 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Trump sent an email to his fundraising list saying 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!" according to an email seen by Reuters.

Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13, raising questions about protection for candidates just months ahead of what looks likely to be a highly contested Nov. 5 election in which he will face off against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden and Harris's response

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed about the incident and were relieved to know that he was safe.

"Violence has no place in America," Harris said in an X social media post.

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

Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., cited local law enforcement as saying an AK-47 automatic weapon had been discovered in bushes and a suspect has been apprehended, according to a post on X.

Reuters was not immediately able to confirm his account.

Shooting at the golf course

The Washington Post said Trump had been golfing at the course when the incident occurred. Secret Service agents took him to a holding room at the club, it said, citing two people briefed on what had happened.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Palm Beach police service said they would hold a briefing on the incident at 4:30 p.m.

The first shooting of a US president or major party presidential candidate in more than four decades was a glaring security lapse that forced Kimberly Cheatle to resign as Secret Service director under bipartisan congressional pressure.

Trump was grazed in the right ear and one rallygoer was killed in the gunfire. The gunman, identified as a 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.

The US Secret Service's new acting director said in August that he was "ashamed" of a security lapse that led to the assassination attempt.

FBI statement

An FBI statement announced that the shooting would be investigated as an attempted assassination against former President Trump.

A neighboring county's law enforcement announced on Facebook that a suspect had been taken into custody following information released by Palm Beach County.

According to CNN, the suspect was 'relatively calm' when detained in Martin County.

“He was not displaying a lot of emotions. Never asked, ‘What is this about?’” Sheriff William D. Snyder said. 

CNN reported that Snyder and his agency “flooded” Interstate 95 and closed a significant portion of the highway before eventually safely stopping the suspect vehicle. 

“I have a clear understanding from investigators that we actually do have the suspect that they’re looking for in Palm Beach County,” Snyder said.

Martin County has released the suspect into the custody of the FBI, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the US Secret Service.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has announced that the suspect has not made any statements regarding his involvement in this incident.

“No statement right now as far as his involvement in the incident and there’s further investigation to be completed,” Bradshaw said.

Sheriff Bradshaw also announced that an 'AK-47 style rifle' and a go-pro were found at the scene.

The New York Times, Fox News, and CNN all identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, citing unnamed law enforcement officials, though the FBI declined to confirm.

In a fundraising email, Donald Trump said that his resolve is 'only stronger' after this second attempt on his life.

“I will never slow down. I will never give up. I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!” the email said.