Breaking news: After second assassination attempt, Trump is safe and suspect in custody

 

Former United States President Donald Trump said he is “safe and well” after what authorities said appeared to be a second assassination attempt on the Republican candidate.

The FBI said it is investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of Trump on Sunday after the Secret Service said it opened fire on a gunman at the former president’s golf resort in Florida.

“FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!” Trump said in a statement on his fundraising website.

“But, there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us. I will not stop fighting for you. I will Never Surrender.”

“I will always love you for supporting me,” the statement added. “Through our UNITY we will Make America Great Again.”

At a joint news conference involving the FBI, Secret Service and local officials, authorities said that a Secret Service agent, who was one hole ahead of Trump on the golf course, spotted a person with a firearm located near the boundary of the resort and fired in his direction.

It was unclear if the suspect fired back at the agent, officials added.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the suspect was 400 to 500 yards (365 to 457 metres) from Trump and it appeared he sought to film himself.

The suspect fled the wooded area in a black vehicle, but was quickly located and detained by law enforcement agencies, according to officials.

A backpack, GoPro camera, firearm scope and “AK-47-style rifle” were recovered from the scene, officials said.

“I would imagine the next time he comes on a golf course, there will probably be… more people around the perimeter,” Bradshaw told reporters.

“But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done. They provided exactly what the protection should have been and their agents did a fantastic job.”

The New York Times and Fox News named the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.

The White House said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had both been briefed and would be kept updated on the investigation.

The White House added that both Biden and Harris were “relieved” to know Trump is safe.

“Violence has no place in America,” Harris said in a post on X.

Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, expressed relief that Trump had not been hurt.

“I’m glad [former] President Trump is safe,” Vance said on X.

“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.”