On a cloudy September day in West Palm Beach, Florida, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an apparent assassination attempt while playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, arrived at the perimeter of the golf course carrying an SKS-style rifle with an obliterated serial number, along with a sniper’s nest complete with a backpack containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera. Investigators believe Routh remained near the tree line for about 12 hours before being spotted by the Secret Service.
Routh was eventually apprehended by law enforcement officers after fleeing the scene in a black Nissan SUV, driving towards I-95 and heading north on the freeway. A witness near the golf course captured a picture of Routh’s vehicle and license plate, leading to his arrest over 40 miles away in Martin County. The arrest was made without incident, and Routh was described as having a flat facial affect and relaxed demeanor following his detainment.
Following the incident, questions arose about the motives and actions of the suspect, as well as the level of protection provided by the Secret Service during Trump’s impromptu golf outing. Despite the absence of any threats on Trump’s public schedule, he had decided to play a game of golf with a donor, Steve Witkoff. While Trump was on the course, one of the Secret Service agents spotted what appeared to be a rifle in the tree line and took action by firing in that direction.
The swift response of law enforcement officers in capturing Routh after the incident was credited to the cooperation between multiple jurisdictions and the timely alerting of authorities along I-95. Routh was initially charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Law enforcement officials suggested that additional charges could potentially be brought against Routh as the investigation progresses.
As the investigation into the assassination attempt continues, former President Trump expressed gratitude for the protection provided by the Secret Service and the quick response of law enforcement in ensuring his safety. The incident has raised concerns about the security measures in place for high-profile individuals and the need for constant vigilance in the face of potential threats. Trump is known to frequent the golf course at Mar-a-Lago and maintains a regular golfing routine, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate protection in such public and exposed locations.
