Former US President and Republican candidate for the 2024 election Donald Trump, was reported safe in a ‘apparent assassination attempt’ in Florida.
Gunshots were reportedly fired near his golf club in Florida on Sunday, according to the US Secret Service. The Secret Service sleuths opened fire on a person after spotting him with a firearm near the golf club shortly before 2 pm on Sunday (11.30 pm IST), they reported.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said they were probing the incident as an ‘attempted assassination’.
The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested and has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. The authorities are yet to determine his motive.
Soon after the incident, the 78-year-old leader shot an email to his supporters that he was safe and asserted that he “will never surrender”.
Trump was reportedly golfing at the club when the firing took place outside it. The Secret Service agents then escorted him to a holding room at the club, the Washington Post reported. According to officials, the gunman was about 300-500 yards (275-450 metres) away from Trump.
“Suspect was armed with an AK-47-style rifle with a scope. He also had a GoPro. The gunman was about 300-500 yards away from Trump. The Secret Service engaged the suspect, firing at least four shots. Unclear whether the suspect fired any shots,” the officials said in a press briefing.
As the officials opened fire, the gunman dropped his rifle, two backpacks, and other items before fleeing in a car. A witness managed to take photos of his car and licence plate, which helped the police arrest him within hours in nearby Martin County.
No injuries were reported in the shooting incident, according to a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed about the incident and were relieved to know that he was safe.
Commenting on the second assassination attempt on Trump, Biden said, there is no place for any kind of violence in the United States.
“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,” he said in a statement.
President Biden further said, there is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened.
Harris tweeted, “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”.
Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, said he spoke to the Republican candidate, and he is 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,” he tweeted.
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