Former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024. The Secret Service responded quickly, preventing harm to Trump. The suspect is now in custody as the FBI continues to investigate.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was thwarted by Secret Service agents at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The incident occurred while Trump was playing golf, approximately 400 yards away from the suspect, who had concealed himself in nearby bushes with an AK-47-style rifle. Agents spotted the weapon and immediately opened fire as the suspect fled the scene in a black Nissan.
Authorities recovered a rifle, ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera from the suspect's hiding spot, suggesting a premeditated attack meant to be filmed. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was captured shortly after and is now in custody. Routh, who has a criminal history and political activity on social media, is expected to face charges at both state and federal levels.
This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in just two months, following a similar incident in July at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump, unharmed in both incidents, expressed gratitude for the Secret Service’s swift actions and reassured supporters that "nothing will slow me down."
The FBI has taken over the investigation, treating the event as a targeted assassination attempt. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from public officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who stressed the importance of preventing political violence.
