A new assassination attempt against Donald Trump was thwarted by the Secret Service on Sunday, September 15, while the former president was playing golf in West Palm Beach (Florida), not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence. It was around 1:30 p.m. when the police were alerted after the shots were fired. A member of the former president’s protection, who participated in the “bubble” formed around him during his travels, he was responsible for inspecting the next hole on the course, before the billionaire appeared there. Through the door he saw the barrel of a gun being held by a man in the bushes. The officer opened fire, causing the suspect to flee.
Police quickly enlisted the help of a witness, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during a press conference with the other services involved. This witness saw the man emerge from the bushes and get into a black Nissan. He had the presence of mind to photograph the rear of the vehicle and therefore the license plate. Police were then able to quickly intercept the Nissan on the main artery I-95 and arrest the suspect, who did not resist. In his haste, the latter had abandoned an AK-47 assault rifle, a telescopic sight, two backpacks and a camera on the fence surrounding the golf course. “I was planning to use GoPro to take photos”according to the sheriff.
“We are not sure that the individual managed to open fire on our officers”said a representative of the Secret Service, Rafael Barros. The Federal Police (FBI) took charge of the investigation. At the time of the events, Donald Trump was in the previous hole, approximately “300 to 500 yards” (274 to 457 meters) from the possible shooter, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw estimated.
Biden “relieved”
President Joe Biden praised law enforcement in a statement, saying that ” relieved ” knowing that his predecessor was unscathed. But there is no point in waiting for a pause in the current presidential campaign, fifty days before the election. Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has promised that his state will lead “your own research” about this attempted murder, as a sign of distrust towards the federal authorities.
Citing official sources, the American press – including the Associated Press, the New York Times and news outlets – quickly identified the suspect, named Ryan Wesley Routh. White, a 58-year-old North Carolina native, lived in Hawaii. Her criminal history includes eight arrests, mostly for misdemeanors.
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