Second assassination attempt on Donald Trump: Suspect arrested in Florida

FLORIDA: A second assassination attempt has been made on Donald Trump, former US president and current presidential candidate. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at a golf club owned by Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, the club was partially closed as a safety precaution.

The assailant, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, allegedly opened fire on Trump while he was playing golf. The US Secret Service, responsible for the security of former presidents, confirmed that Trump is safe following the attack.

Routh, a former construction worker from Greensboro, North Carolina, was arrested at the scene. Authorities recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, a scope, a GoPro camera and a backpack from the suspect. After Secret Service agents returned fire, Routh reportedly attempted to flee in a black car before being apprehended. The FBI has since confirmed that this was a targeted assassination attempt on Trump.

Ryan Routh has a history of legal troubles, including a 2002 arrest in Greensboro for breaking into a building armed with an automatic weapon. However, it is unclear whether he faced punishment at the time. While he has no military experience, investigators found that he had a deep interest in such matters.

This is the second attempt on Trump’s life in recent months. The first occurred on July 13 during a rally in Pennsylvania, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump while he was speaking, injuring his right ear. Crooks was shot and killed by security forces.

US media reports suggest that Routh, who graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. In a social media interview, he expressed his willingness to volunteer and die for the country. Since moving to Hawaii in 2018, Routh has worked as a self-contracting builder. He has been vocal in his criticism of Trump on social media and had shared posts about the previous assassination attempt in July.

The investigative team has also uncovered Routh’s involvement in several criminal incidents, including attacking law enforcement officers.

Trump is set to face Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election in two months.