Donald Trump was the intended target, it appears, of a man with a gun on the grounds of the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach on Sunday. Trump was on the fifth hole of the course at the time and was unharmed. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detained a “person of interest,” and has said the intent was unknown.
The man has now been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh. FBI is considering this an assassination attempt.
Routh has a history of being vocally anti-Trump.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors begin spiraling 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,” Trump said in a statement from his campaign.
An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, according to local law enforcement.
“The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe,” U.S. Secret Service Spokesperson Anthony Gugliemi said.
Teri Barbera, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that a shooting took place on the grounds of the golf course and said person of interest has been detained.
In July, an attempted assassination of Trump took place during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania. That man was shot by police after he fired several bullets, one that killed a member of the crowd, and one that grazed Trump’s ear.
This story will be updated as details can be confirmed.
“The former president is safe,” the Secret Service said. “We will have more details soon.”