Former President Donald Trump took to social media to share his thoughts after narrowly escaping a second assassination attempt while enjoying a round of golf at his Mar-a-Lago course in Florida.
The incident unfolded in the early afternoon and has left many people shaken.
Trump’s Response
In his post on Truth Social, Trump described the day as “interesting” and expressed gratitude towards the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their swift action.
He commended their efforts in ensuring his safety, saying, “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes—it was certainly an interesting day!”
He praised the Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, and all involved law enforcement for their “incredible job,” emphasizing his pride in being an American and the outstanding protection provided.
The Incident
Around 1:30 p.m., the West Palm Beach Police Department was alerted to gunshots by the Secret Service.
An agent had spotted the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, hiding in the bushes at Trump International Golf Club. Routh, a registered Democrat, was reportedly about 300-500 yards from Trump as he played golf between the fifth and sixth holes.
A Secret Service agent, who was stationed a hole or two ahead of Trump, noticed something unusual—a rifle barrel with a scope protruding from the fence.
The agent promptly engaged, firing four to six rounds at Routh.
The former president was quickly escorted to safety while Routh fled the scene.
The Pursuit
A witness managed to capture photos of Routh’s car and license plates, which were handed over to the authorities.
Daniel Rodriguez, who was driving home from Orlando, recounted seeing a chaotic scene with police vehicles and helicopters converging on the area.
Routh was eventually pulled over by law enforcement and arrested without displaying much emotion.
Investigations and Statements
Sheriff Bradshaw explained that the golf course’s dense shrubbery made it challenging to spot anyone hidden within.
He noted that the Secret Service’s ability to protect Trump was somewhat limited due to the course’s layout.
However, he praised their response, asserting that they had done exactly what was required under the circumstances.
During Routh’s arrest, he was found with an AK-style rifle, a scope, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks containing ceramic tiles. His belongings are currently being processed for further investigation.
Trump’s Defiant Stance
Following the incident, Trump’s campaign communications director confirmed his safety and assured there were no additional details at that moment.
Trump himself issued a defiant statement, vowing to “never surrender” and expressing his gratitude to his supporters.
He also referenced a previous assassination attempt he survived earlier in the year.
Reactions and Background
Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago later in the day, with House Speaker Mike Johnson declaring Trump as “unstoppable” after a meeting.
Meanwhile, Routh’s son, Oran, expressed shock and disbelief over his father’s actions, stating that Routh had no history of violence and was not someone he thought would target the former president.
Routh’s past reveals a troubling history, including arrests and a record of radical views.
His political stance shifted from supporting Trump in 2016 to criticizing him heavily in recent years.
Further investigation into Routh’s background is ongoing, including his previous convictions and involvement in various crimes.
As the details continue to unfold, the focus remains on the security measures in place and the broader implications of this dramatic event.