Near West Palm Beach, a man armed with an AK-47 was apprehended after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred at Trump International Golf Club on Sunday afternoon while Trump was playing a round of golf. Secret Service agents quickly fired upon the suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, after observing him pointing the weapon through a chain-link fence just one hole ahead of where Trump was playing.
Fox News reports that Routh has a lengthy criminal history that spans decades, with charges ranging from minor infractions to more serious offenses. Originally from North Carolina, Routh has been arrested numerous times for a variety of charges, including simple drug possession, driving without a license, expired inspection, and operating a vehicle without insurance. In 2002, he made headlines in Greensboro, North Carolina, when he barricaded himself inside his business following a traffic stop that escalated into a standoff with police.
More recently, Routh relocated to Hawaii in 2017, where he established a construction company reportedly focused on building housing structures for homeless individuals. Authorities are investigating the episode as an assassination attempt on Trump, though the motivations behind Routh’s actions remain unclear. Routh was reportedly carrying an AK-47, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks when Secret Service agents spotted him along the golf course’s sixth hole. After the agent fired on him, Routh abandoned his equipment and fled the scene in an SUV. He was later arrested by authorities.
Trump’s campaign quickly issued a statement confirming his safety. In a follow-up message to his supporters, Trump declared, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” He also reassured the public that despite the danger, he was unharmed and in good spirits. He emphasized his resilience, saying, “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’s message, shared on social media, expressed gratitude for the continued support of his followers, calling for unity and peace while reaffirming his famous slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, including a detailed review of Routh’s past and any potential connections to extremist groups or motives. The fact that Routh abandoned both his weapon and a camera suggests that he may have intended to document the attack, adding another layer of concern for law enforcement.
