Former President Donald Trump has survived a second assassination attempt, this time at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after allegedly attempting to shoot Trump with an AK-style rifle. Key questions remain: how did Routh know Trump would be at the golf course, and how was he able to get so close to the GOP frontrunner?
The incident unfolded on the afternoon of September 15, 2024, when Secret Service agents spotted the barrel of a rifle protruding through a chain-link fence near the golf course where Trump was playing. The agents immediately reacted, leading to a tense few minutes before Routh fled the scene.
The Timeline of Events
1:30 p.m.: Secret Service agents spotted the rifle barrel and quickly assessed that Trump, who was about 300-500 yards away, was in immediate danger. West Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated that agents "immediately engaged" the shooter, who fled the scene. The gun, later identified as an AK-style rifle with a scope, was recovered.
1:40-2:00 p.m.: Trump was rushed to safety, and early reports began circulating. Trump's campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, confirmed that the former president was unharmed, stating, "President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity." Trump himself reassured his supporters: "Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!"
3:49 p.m.: Vice President Kamala Harris responded to the news, expressing relief that Trump was safe, while also condemning the violence, writing, "Violence has no place in America."
4:29 p.m.: The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was taken into custody after being tracked by law enforcement using a witness’s photo of his vehicle. Routh fled to a neighboring county, where he was eventually arrested.
4:42 p.m.: The FBI confirmed it was investigating the event as an "attempted assassination of former President Trump."
5:18 p.m.: Sheriff Bradshaw revealed that Routh had been equipped with a rifle, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks at the scene. Trump’s golf course is surrounded by thick shrubbery, which had made spotting Routh difficult before the agents saw his weapon.
5:24 p.m.: Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg announced that charges would be filed at the state level, and that federal charges could follow.
5:30 p.m.: Senator JD Vance, who had spoken to Trump after the incident, said the former president was "in good spirits," despite the gravity of the situation. 10 minutes later, Sheriff Bradshaw told the press that if Trump were still the sitting president, his entire golf course would have been lined with law enforcement for security. However, he explained that since Trump is no longer in office, "security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible."
At 6:27 p.m., GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik released a statement addressing the reported assassination attempt. "I am grateful to hear that President Trump is safe following today's reported assassination attempt in Florida. I join in thanks for our hardworking law enforcement officers working to keep President Trump, his family, and his team safe."
Referring to the attempted assassination in July, Stefanik added, "There continues to be a lack of answers for the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and we expect there to be a clear explanation of what happened today in Florida."
7:24 p.m.: Trump’s campaign leaders, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, praised the U.S. Secret Service for their quick actions, writing in an email, "President Trump and everyone accompanying him are safe thanks to the great work of the United States Secret Service."
8:31 p.m.: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state would conduct its own investigation, raising concerns about how Routh had managed to get within 500 yards of Trump.
8:50 p.m.: President Joe Biden made his own statement, expressing relief that Trump was unharmed and commending law enforcement for their efforts.
The Question of the Day: How Did Routh Know?
A critical question continues to dominate the conversation in the aftermath of the attack. As Charlie Kirk asked, "President Trump's round of golf was NOT on any public schedule. How did the suspect know Trump was golfing there today? How did he get a semi-automatic rifle so close to the president?"
Routh, a registered Democrat with a history of posting pro-Ukrainian messages on social media, had previously expressed support for violence against Trump. Law enforcement is now investigating how Routh knew Trump's whereabouts, particularly since Trump’s schedule was not publicly disclosed.
As the investigation unfolds, the issue of security around the former president—who is not entitled to the same level of protection as a sitting president—continues to draw scrutiny. Sheriff Bradshaw noted that, while Trump’s security is significant, it is not as comprehensive as it would be if he were still in office.
This attack, coming just two months after an earlier assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has reignited concerns about threats to Trump’s life, particularly as he remains a prominent figure in the 2024 presidential race.
A Pattern of Violence?
The West Palm Beach incident is the second attempt on Trump’s life in just a few months. GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik emphasized the need for transparency and swift answers, saying, "There continues to be a lack of answers for the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and we expect there to be a clear explanation of what happened today in Florida."
As of now, Routh remains in custody and faces serious charges, both at the state and potentially federal levels. The investigation will likely probe any communication or reconnaissance methods he may have used to track Trump’s movements, as well as potential motives rooted in his political views.
Trump, for his part, has vowed to push forward, telling his supporters to "never surrender" and showing no signs of stepping back from the public eye.
