FBI investigating ‘apparent assassination attempt’ on Donald Trump – as suspect identified
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A man has been arrested and an assault rifle recovered after “an apparent assassination attempt” on Donald Trump, according to the FBI.
Mr Trump was playing a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach when gunshots were heard.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that a Secret Service agent – who was patrolling the course ahead of Mr Trump – spotted a rifle barrel coming out of a perimeter fence.
“He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” he said.
It is not yet known whether the suspect fired first or fired a round at all or if only the Secret Service fired.
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Secret Service move Trump to safety after shots heard
A witness spotted the man fleeing the scene in a black Nissan and managed to take photos of the car and number plate.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by local police, Sky News’s US partner network NBC News reported, citing three senior law enforcement officials.
Officers later searched the area where the man, believed to be Routh, was spotted and found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two rucksacks and a GoPro.
Pictures of the gun and rucksacks were displayed at the news conference
Earlier Martin County Sheriff William Snyder described how his officers followed the suspect’s vehicle for a while before making a “felony stop”.
“Our road units picked the vehicle up and we waited a while. We didn’t stop him right away. We didn’t want a high-speed chase.
“So we were able to wait until we had adequate units, surrounded the vehicle, and forced it to a stop.”
He added they managed to take the suspect into custody peacefully.
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What we know about what happened so far
Police vehicles are pictured near Trump International Golf Club. Pic: AP
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Trump says, ‘he will never surrender’
Afterwards, a statement from Mr Trump said: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!
“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.”
Mr Trump’s motorcade heading to Mar-a-Lago after the incident
Mr Trump has since returned to his Mar-a-Lago resort.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he had been briefed on the “apparent assassination attempt” and was “relieved that the former president is unharmed”.
“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,” he said, adding that he has directed his team “to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety”.
A White House statement said earlier: “The president and vice president have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former president Trump was golfing.
“They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team.”
It comes two months after the Republican presidential nominee was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania in July.
The gunman, who was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service at the scene.
The attempt on Mr Trump’s life led to the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle, who admitted to Congress that her agency had its “most significant operational failure” in decades.