Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he was unharmed following an apparent assassination attempt Sunday while at his golf club in West Palm Beach. A gunman fired shots near the club’s boundary, but Trump and his security detail escaped unscathed.
In a series of messages posted shortly after the incident, Trump reassured his supporters that he was safe. “Fear not! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!” read a statement on his fundraising platform. He also posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, thanking law enforcement for their swift response: “THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from North Carolina, is in custody, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Routh allegedly fired a rifle, but it remains unclear if he specifically targeted Trump. The FBI and Secret Service confirmed they were investigating the motive behind the attack.
The incident occurred just two months after a similar attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump, who was at his club when the shots rang out, had been playing golf when the shooting occurred. Secret Service agents stationed on the course quickly secured the area and exchanged fire with the assailant. An AK-47-style rifle and a GoPro camera were later recovered from the scene.
Trump is currently the Republican nominee for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It is not yet known if this latest attack will impact his campaign schedule. He is slated to appear in Michigan and New York later this week.
Law enforcement, including FBI and local authorities, praised the swift response of agents, which led to Routh’s arrest within minutes of the attack. The investigation remains ongoing.