Trump’s campaign says he is safe after apparent assassination attempt, 1 person detained

Donald Trump’s campaign says he is safe after gunshots were reported “in his vicinity” Sunday afternoon.

The Associated Press reports that U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire after seeing a suspected person with a firearm near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

PHOTOS: Trump safe after Secret Service opened fire at suspected person with firearm near his golf club

The FBI said in a statement they are considering the situation “what appears to be an attempted assassination.”

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said one person was taken into custody after the incident. A black SUV was stopped on I-95 at 714. Reports say that person is being questioned.

Police say the man who the Secret Service shot at while he was in possession of a rifle in the area was 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, reports say.

The AP reports that Routh lived in North Carolina for most of his life before moving to Kaaawa, Hawaii in 2018. He operated a company that built sheds with his son. Reports say Routh frequently posted about the war in Ukraine and tried to raise money to recruit people to join Kyiv in fighting Russia.

Routh has shown some support towards Trump, even encouraging him to win reelection in 2020 by prosecuting police misconduct. His views have changed since then, with tweets showing support for Democrats more recently.

He was an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina in 2012 and most recently voted in person during the March 2024 Democratic primary.

During a press briefing, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Routh had a rifle, two backpacks hanging on a fence and a GoPro camera. They were around 400 to 500 yards away from Trump and hiding in shrubbery.

Election 2024 Trump Photos that show an AK-47 rifle, a backpack and a Go-Pro camera on a fence outside Trump International Golf Club taken after an apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, are displayed during a news conference at the Palm Beach County Main Library, Sunday. Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat) (Stephany Matat/AP)

Trump’s campaign released no other details.

No injuries were reported.

The Secret Service has moved Trump to a safe location as a precaution.

This incident comes two months after a gunman tried to assassinate Trump during his rally in Butler.

>> Trump injured in assassination attempt at rally in Butler; 1 attendee, suspected shooter killed

President Joe Biden issued a statement on the situation saying:

“I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe. I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said she has been briefed on the situation and said she is glad Trump is safe.

I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024

Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance also released a statement after the incident and said that Trump was in good spirits.

I'm glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits.

Still much we don't know, but I'll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 15, 2024