PROSPECT HEIGHTS — For the second time in two months, Donald Trump was the target of an alleged assassination attempt, according to the FBI, which confirmed it is investigating the incident in which the U.S. Secret Service fired shots at a gunman after spotted him with a weapon in the vicinity of the former president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Trump, the Republican candidate for president in the Nov. 5 election, was not hurt in the incident, which took place at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach shortly before 2 p.m..
The suspect, identified by law enforcement authorities as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, fled the scene in an SUV but was taken into custody by local police a short time later.
The FBI issued a statement on Sunday confirming that it was investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of Trump.
Routh pointed the muzzle of a gun through the golf course’s fence and was spotted by agents, who then fired at him, authorities said.
The Secret Service immediately swarmed the former president and removed him to safety in the clubhouse.
An AK-47-style rifle was recovered in the bushes at the scene, along with two backpacks, a scope and a Go-Pro camera, authorities said.
Trump was playing a round of golf and was between the fifth and sixth holes of the golf course when the incident took place.
In a campaign fundraising email to his supporters, Trump addressed the situation. “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!”
The former president added, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the presidential race, were briefed on the incident.
“The president and vice president have been briefed about the security incident at Trump International Golf Course , where the former president was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the White House said in a statement.
The incident took place two months after Trump survived an assassination attempt while on the campaign trail. In that instance, a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots as Trump while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13.
Trump was hit in his right ear. Three people in the crowd were also shot. One of them, Corey Comperatore, later died from wounds. Authorities shot and killed Crooks.
Following that first assassination attempt, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issues a statement condemning political violence and offering prayers for Trump and the other victims.
“We also pray for our country and for an end to political violence, which is never a solution to political disagreements. We ask that people of goodwill to join us in praying for peace in our country. Mary, Mother of God and Patroness of the Americas, pray for us,” the statement read.
