THE suspect behind Donald Trump’s apparent second assassination attempt has been named.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested by cops in Florida after Secret Service agents saw a rifle poking out of bushes at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club.
3
3
Ryan Routh is the lead suspect in the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
On September 15, 2024, the former president was taking part in a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, when shots were heard.
It came after agents spotted someone they suspected of aiming the weapon from nearby bushes.
The would-be assassin, who managed to get within 400-500 yards of Trump, attempted to flee the scene in an SUV but was caught by officials and taken into custody.
Officials said it’s unclear whether the suspect fired a shot – or the Secret Service did.
An eyewitness saw the suspect fleeing from the bushes in a black Nissan.
The witness contacted law enforcement and provided images of the vehicle and its license plate.
The FBI confirmed they saved Trump from an “assassination attempt” as he played golf.
An AK-47-style rifle, backpacks, and a GoPro camera were later found discarded by the golf club.
It was then revealed that Ryan Routh was arrested in connection with the incident.
More details about the alleged suspect have since been revealed.
He reportedly lived in North Carolina for most of his life.
According to the Associated Press, Routh then moved to Kauai, Hawaii in 2018, and he and his son appear to operate a company building sheds.
Back in 2022, he traveled to Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion.
On his social media profile, he urged the US to send more arms and called for civilians to join him.
Trump speaks out
Following the incident, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement: “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity.
“No further details at this time.”
Trump also took to social media to release his own statement.
He declared: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE
“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.”
He later returned to the course.
Rafael Barros, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Miami field office, said in a statement: “Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a possible attempted assassination shortly before 2pm, Sunday at Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach.
“US Secret Service personnel opened fire on a gunman located near the property line,”
3
Routh’s son breaks silence
Routh’s son, Oran told CNN that he hopes “everything has been blown out of proportion”.
He added that it would be unlike his father to “do anything crazy, much less violent”.
Oran said: “Ryan is my father, and I don’t have any comment beyond a character profile of him as a loving and caring father, and honest, hardworking man.
“I don’t know what’s happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion because, from the little I’ve heard, it doesn’t sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent.
“He’s a good father and a great man, and I hope you can portray him in an honest light.”
