Second Assassination Attempt on Trump In Just Over Two Months

Ryan Routh, 58, suspect in custody after assassination attempt of Donald Trump. (Martin Co. Sheriff's Office, FL)

Darren Doyle, story:
A second assassination attempt on former President and current Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump was confirmed yesterday in an incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. It's the second attempt in just over as many months.

Palm Beach County, FL Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed that shots fired were reported at 1:30PM on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the golf course. Sheriff Bradshaw said that his office responded to assist U.S. Secret Service in the incident. Bradshaw said that a Secret Service agent stationed on a hole in front of Trump saw the barrel of a rifle sticking out from the bushes behind the fence of the course. The agent reportedly engaged with a hidden would-be shooter, who was said to be approximately 300 to 500 yards away from former President Trump.

A suspect fled the scene and through eyewitness reports, was seen in a black Nissan SUV leaving the area. Sheriff Bradshaw said the suspect was detained approximately 50 miles away by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, age 58, who apparently had voted in North Carolina in the 2024 primary, according to multiple sources, and claimed he was most recently living in Hawaii.

Routh's social media was almost immediately suspended and inaccessible on Facebook and X, which had several critical posts on the Ukraine-Russian conflict as well as Trump. Several screen recordings of Routh's social media posts were posted on other accounts before it was suspended.

An AK-47 rifle with scope was found in the bushes, along with a backpack with ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera.

From Trump's Truth Social account, he released the following statement:

"I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

Vice President and current Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris also released a statement on Sunday, which condemned the assassination attempt.

"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 to violence," she stated on her social media account, X.

Questions were asked as to how someone with a rifle can be that close to Trump, especially since an attempt on his life was made on July 13th. Sheriff Bradshaw told reporters yesterday that while Trump receives Secret Service protection as both a former President and current candidate, he does not receive the same amount of protection as a sitting President.

Charges filed against the would-be assassin have not yet been announced.