What is known about the apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump: what happened, who is arrested and how the investigation is going

Fifty days before the US election, Republican candidate Donald Trump has been the victim of a new attack that the FBI is investigating as “an attempted murder,” the federal agency said in a statement. The incident occurred at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, where the former president was playing behind closed doors during his day off.

This apparent assassination attempt is the second on Trump, who was wounded at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. On that occasion, the attacker, Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead on the spot. In more than four decades, a sitting president or an electoral candidate had not been the target of an attack.

What happened?

At his golf club, the presidential hopeful was walking between the fifth and sixth holes when his Secret Service escort spotted the rifle in the bushes. The agents fired shots from a distance and the man fled in a vehicle. It is not yet known whether the alleged attacker ever opened fire.

An arrest

“An eyewitness saw a person flee the scene in a black Nissan SUV. He took a photo of the vehicle, showing the license plate. That was very helpful,” Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said at a news conference. Thanks to the photo, officers located the vehicle and arrested the driver, who, according to police statements, was calm and unarmed.

The person arrested is Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, a construction worker from Hawaii. The suspect has a criminal record for minor offenses. On his social media accounts — now deactivated, but which he used frequently — he appeared to have an exceptional interest in the war in Ukraine. According to his social media accounts, he had voted for Trump in 2016, but was registered as an independent.

The FBI is still investigating the motive for the apparent attempted murder. Authorities found two backpacks hidden in the bushes at the golf club, as well as the firearm with a telescopic sight. There was also a Go-Pro camera, which they say was used to record the execution.

Safe and sound

Trump confirmed that he is “safe and well” and that there are no injuries. In an email to his fundraising list, the candidate reported on his spirit to continue his presidential campaign: “My resolve is stronger after another assassination attempt. I will never slow down. I will never give up,” he wrote.

Reactions

In a statement, the White House said that both President Joe Biden and Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris were aware of the events and would remain updated on developments in the investigation.

“I am relieved to know that the former President is unharmed. An investigation into this incident is underway as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened,” President Biden said in a statement released Sunday night. “As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or any kind of violence in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities, and protective measures necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”

Democratic candidate Harris wrote on X: “I have been informed that shots have been fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad that he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”