Rabat – Former President Donald Trump was targeted in an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday while playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, AP News reported.
58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh has been identified as the suspect. The FBI is investigating the incident, which saw Secret Service agents engage with Routh after he was seen pointing an AK-style rifle from a distance.
A confrontation occurred when a Secret Service agent, securing the golf course, noticed a gun barrel protruding from the bushes.
Routh, who was armed with a rifle and several other items, was fired upon by the agents and subsequently fled the scene. Local authorities in Palm Beach County, aided by a witness who photographed the suspect’s vehicle, were able to arrest Routh on Interstate 95 in Martin County.
Routh’s background reveals a strong connection to advocating for Ukraine’s fight against Russia, AP News reported. He had been active on social media with posts calling for actions against Russian targets.
In addition, he had previously volunteered in Ukraine and attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers for the conflict, according to the report. Despite these connections, his family expressed shock and denial regarding his alleged actions, emphasizing their difficulty in reconciling his character with the charges against him.
This incident follows a similar attack on Trump just weeks prior during a rally in Pennsylvania. The event, which was attended by hundreds of supporters, turned into chaos following gunfire towards the stage.
Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear but was unharmed overall. He was quickly secured by his team and made a public statement asserting his commitment to his campaign
Despite these attacks, the Republican nominee has reassured supporters of his safety and continued with his public schedule in the 2024 presidential campaign.
