Trump ‘safe and well’ after being targeted by would-be assassin with scoped AK-47 just a few hundred yards away while ex-prez played golf
Former President Donald Trump survived yet another assassination attempt after a sniper with a scoped AK-47 rifle got within a few hundred yards of him as he played golf at his West Palm Beach, Florida, club on Sunday.
It is the second time a madman armed with an assault rifle has tried to kill the 45th president in two months.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the suspect took cover near a chain-link fence between 300 and 500 yards from Trump as he teed off at the fifth hole around 2 p.m. — noting that “with a rifle and scope, like, that is not a long distance.”
Law enforcement sources told The Post that the suspect is Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaii resident who has championed progressive causes online and was a reliable donor to Democratic causes and candidates.
His LinkedIn page shows that he attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University but relocated to Hawaii sometime around 2018.
He describes himself on the page as “mechanically minded” and claims, “Work has never been about money rather building frameworks for people to thrive and succeed.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, somebody with Routh’s same full name and date of birth racked up more than a dozen criminal charges in 2001 and 2002, including for carrying a concealed weapon and hit and run.
He also picked up a particularly alarming felony in April 2002 for “possessing a weapon of mass destruction,” records show.
On Sunday, the accused wannabe assassin set up a GoPro camera on the fence with the apparent intent of recording the shooting — part of a full-fledged sniper’s nest he built in the hedges at the edge of the Trump International Golf Course, where he was lying in wait for Trump to come into view.
A Secret Service agent spotted the suspect as he stuck the barrel of his rifle through the chain fence on the outskirts of Trump International Golf Course West Palm Beach South.
The agent, who was a golf hole ahead of Trump, opened fire on the suspect — who fled, Bradshaw told reporters Sunday night.
Authorities have yet to determine if the shooter got off any rounds at the Secret Service agents or at Trump.
Despite the fact that the ex-president came within a few centimeters of having his head blown off barely two months ago, Bradshaw indicated Trump’s security detail was lighter than President Biden‘s because he is not the sitting commander-in-chief.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded. But because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” Bradshaw said.
“I would imagine that the next time he comes to a golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done,’’ the sheriff said.
After the first attempted assassination, the Secret Service increased Trump’s protective detail — and also offered protection to then-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayokas said in July.
“I cannot discuss specifics of the protection or the enhancements made, as they involve sensitive tactics and procedures,” the DHS chief said at the time. “I can say, however, that personnel and other protective resources, technology, and capabilities have been added.”
Following the Butler, Pa., rally shooting, the Secret Service also demanded that Trump hold all future outdoor campaign events from behind bulletproof glass.
Routh’s arrest was given a big boost by a bystander who spotted him running out of the bushes and getting into a black Nissan, even photographing the man and reporting the sighting to law enforcement, who then blasted it out statewide, leading to his arrest after a stop on I-95 a short time later.
Investigators found the suspect had left behind his “AK-style” rifle, as well as two backpacks, one of which contained ceramic tile, at the scene, Bradshaw said.
Routh has been in the news before. A vocal Ukraine supporter, he spoke to Newsweek Romania in 2022 about volunteering to help recruit for Ukraine forces in its war against Russia and to Semafor a year later, expressing frustration over Ukraine’s unwillingness to enlist foreign soldiers.
“Ukraine is very often hard to work with,” he said. “Many foreign soldiers leave after a week in Ukraine or must move from unit to unit to find a place they are respected and appreciated.”
Routh’s gal pal, Kathleen Shaffer, who lived in Hawaii with him, wrote about his time in Kyiv on social media.
“My fiancé put his life at home on hold and traveled to Kyiv in April to support the people of Ukraine. He plans on staying for at least 90 days and stays at a hostel with a military unit,” Shaffer wrote on Facebook.
Routh set up a memorial for Ukrainians killed in the war, set up an international volunteer center and arranged deliveries of tactical gear to soldiers on the front lines, Shaffer said.
Trump issued an “alert” statement to let supporters know he was safe shortly after the terrifying incident.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” he wrote Sunday.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung added, “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”
Follow the latest on the foiled assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Florida:
Trump’s security at golf course was lighter because he’s not sitting prez: official
Demands mount for Trump to get same protection as Biden — after yet another assassination plot
Would-be Trump assassin ID’d as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii: sources
The suspect was arrested by local police a short time later on I-95 at FL-714, about 41 miles north in Palm City.
Fox News host Sean Hannity said he spoke to Trump several times after the ordeal and that once the former president knew everyone was safe, he told him, “Ugh, I really wanted to finish the hole! I was even and I had a birdie putt.”
The Republican presidential nominee later said he was “proud to be an American” and thanked the Secret Service for an “absolutely outstanding” job keeping him safe in a TruthSocial post.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE,” Trump wrote in a post to his social media platform shortly after 11:30 p.m.
“THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
The assassination attempt comes almost exactly two months after Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, wounding him in the ear. A rally attendee was killed as Crooks shot at Trump.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) took to X minutes after news of the shooting broke to laud the former president for his fortitude.
“Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country,’’ Graham said.
The West Palm Beach course is about five miles inland from Mar-a-Lago, which Trump has dubbed the “Winter White House.”
The Secret Service — which came under widespread criticism after the July assassination attempt on Trump — wrote on X that it was investigating a “protective incident” involving the former president.
The agency said it’s coordinating with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation.
Initial reports suggested two people were firing at each other. But sources said investigators now believe the Secret Service agent was the only shooter.
The suspect’s motives are not yet known. He was arrested by Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies.
Biden issued a statement hours after the incident.
“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,” Biden said.
“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, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2024 election, later said she was “deeply disturbed” by the second assassination attempt on Trump in her own statement Sunday night.
“I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” Harris said.
Additional reporting by Caitlin Doornbos and Katherine Donlevy
