The FBI is investigating a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
On Sunday afternoon, former President Donald Trump was playing golf in Florida when the Secret Service spotted a man with a rifle on the perimeter of the course.
Secret Service agents opened fire on the man, who fled in his car. He was later apprehended by law enforcement and taken into custody. The man has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, and is reported to have an extensive social media presence surrounding Ukraine and activism.
A semiautomatic rifle with a scope was found by authorities. Two backpacks containing ceramic tile, and a video camera were found on the property.
Following the apprehension of Routh, Steven Cheung, the communications director for Trump’s campaign, said, “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the situation. Harris wrote on social media, “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
Republicans are outraged following the second attempt on Trump’s life during his presidential campaign. “The rhetoric against President Trump, this narrative that he will be the next dictator, that he is the next Hitler coming, it has got to stop. Enough is enough,” said Representative Mike Waltz of Florida.
Law enforcement is currently working to trace the weapon and its source.
The news comes after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania in July. He was wounded when one of the bullets fired grazed his ear.
