Deadly Attack on Trump 64 Days Later: Assassination Attempt at Florida Golf Club with AK-47-Like Rifle; Secret Service Confirms Trump is Safe

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been attacked once more after 64 days. According to CNN, the shooting occurred near Trump’s International Golf Club in Palm Beach County, Florida. The Secret Service has reported that Trump is safe. 

The FBI has been tasked with investigating the incident. The FBI stated that they consider the incident to be an “attempted murder.” Authorities mentioned that the suspect was armed with a rifle similar to an AK-47 and was carrying a barrel and a GoPro camera.

Reports indicate that the shooting happened while Trump was playing golf near the 5th hole. A Secret Service agent saw the assailant with the rifle from behind the golf course’s fence.

Suspect Flees in Black SUV, Arrested on Highway

The attacker fled in a black SUV and was apprehended on the highway. An AK-47-like gun and a scope were found at the scene, along with two backpacks and a GoPro camera. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, the suspect emerged from nearby bushes after the shooting and fled in his black SUV. A witness took a photo of the vehicle with its license plate.

The car was eventually cornered and stopped in Martin County, north of the club. The incident occurred at 11:30 PM Indian Standard Time, which was 2:00 PM in the U.S.

According to law enforcement, the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Roth from Hawaii. Approximately two months ago, Trump survived a deadly attack during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear.

Trump Says “I Am Safe, I Will Never Give Up”

Following the incident, Donald Trump issued a message to his supporters stating, “I am safe. I heard the sound of gunfire around me, but before any rumors spread about this event, I want to clarify the situation. I am fine and secure.” 

Trump further emphasized, “Nothing will stop me from campaigning. I will never give up. I will always love you for your support.” After the incident, Trump returned to his Mar-a-Lago home. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been informed of the situation, and both expressed relief that Trump is safe.

Who Is Roth, Trump’s Attacker? Previously Arrested Multiple Times

According to the Daily Mail, earlier this year, during the Republican primary elections, Roth supported candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, who were running against Trump. Following Roth’s arrest, his Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts were deactivated, as reported by the BBC. He had posted numerous anti-Trump messages on social media.

In addition to this, Roth was a supporter of the Democratic Party. He was also involved in a fundraising event for Ukraine and even traveled there in 2022. He shared his experiences on social media, expressing his willingness to fight and die for Ukraine.

Roth’s elder son, Oren, told CNN, “My father is a loving, hardworking man. I don’t know what happened in Florida, but I believe this situation is being exaggerated. My father is not capable of such an act.”

Trump’s Life Saved Due to Secret Service Agent’s Alertness

Sheriff Bradshaw told the BBC that the Secret Service agents present at the golf course performed admirably. 

He stated, “The Secret Service has an agent who ensures that Trump reaches where he needs to go next.” This allowed the agent to spot the rifle and take immediate action.

Bradshaw mentioned that since Trump is no longer the president, the level of security was not as stringent. He noted that if there had been more agents in place, they would have prevented the attacker from leaving the golf course. They would have surrounded him and apprehended him right there.

Trump Returned to Florida for the Weekend; Golfing Was a Last-Minute Plan

After visiting the West Coast, Trump returned to Florida for the weekend. His residence in Palm Beach is Mar-a-Lago. According to CNN sources, Trump’s golfing was not planned in advance but was arranged at the last minute. Trump did not attend any events on Sunday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that his state will conduct a separate investigation into the attempted assassination. He mentioned on social media that people have the right to know the truth. Ultimately, how did the attacker get so close to the former president and presidential candidate?

Deadly Attack on Trump on July 13

On July 13, an attack was carried out on Trump while he was addressing a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the incident, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. The attacker was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15 rifle. Following the shooting, Secret Service agents immediately neutralized the attacker.