The suspected shooter behind the “apparent assassination attempt” of former President Donald Trump has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh.
Routh is said to have attempted to shoot the businessman as he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, near his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, estate.
A law enforcement official confirmed the suspect’s identity to The Associated Press but spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Secret Service agents shot and killed the suspect, who was later taken into custody after fleeing the scene. The FBI said it was an apparent assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate. Authorities are working to determine a motive.
The US Secret Service said former President Donald Trump was OK after rescuers rushed to the scene of a shooting that left a man believed to have been carrying an assault rifle shot.
The shooting is believed to have occurred after a Secret Service agent a few holes ahead of the president on the field spotted a rifle barrel in a row of trees and alerted the rest of Trump’s security team.
The former president said he was “doing fine” after the incident and that he would “always love” his supporters. Two law enforcement officials said the Secret Service opened fire after spotting a gunman playing golf near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach on Sunday.
Officials said the man fled in an SUV and was later arrested by local police in a nearby county. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. One of the officers and a third officer said an AK-style firearm was recovered at the crime scene near Trump’s golf course.
In a statement, Trump said, “There was a shooting near me and I wanted you to hear this first before the rumors get out of control: I am safe and well! Nothing can stop me. I will never surrender! I will continue to love you for supporting me. Unity.” Peace. Let’s make America great again. God bless us. “