Last Update September 16, 2024 08:09am ET

Politicians on all sides gave their best wishes to former President Trump following a second assassination attempt against him on Sunday. Gunman Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested shortly after the incident, which took place on a golf course where Trump was playing just one hole away. Trump was quickly reported safe, and authorities apprehended Routh after he attempted to flee.

Covered by: Anders Hagstrom and Stephen Sorace

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1 hour(s) ago

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Trump assassination attempt suspect’s son says dad hated Trump, ‘not a violent person’

The son of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspected gunman in a second assassination attempt on former President Trump, says his father hated Trump but argued he was not a violent person.

Oran Routh told the Daily Mail that his father disliked Trump “as every reasonable person does,” adding that he himself was not a fan. He reportedly expressed disbelief that his father could resort to violence and target the former president, however.

“He’s my dad and all he’s had is couple traffic tickets, as far as I know,” the son said. “That’s crazy. I know my dad and love my dad, but that’s nothing like him.”

“He said he was at the beach, but I thought that meant the outer banks in Hawaii,” he said. “I didn’t ask him for more information because we’ve had a falling out. We’ve grown apart.”

Routh has been living in Hawaii with his longtime girlfriend for multiple years, the Mail reported.

“He’s not a violent person,” Oran added. “He’s a hard worker and a great dad. He’s a great dude, a nice guy and has worked his whole f**king life.”

Authorities said Routh allegedly shoved the muzzle of his rifle through a chain-linked fence about 300 to 500 yards away from Trump while the former president was playing golf.

Routh fled the scene and was quickly apprehended.

Trump was rushed to safety shortly after Secret Service agents fired on Rout. The gunman was lying in wait just one hole away from the former president when he was discovered.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

8 min(s) ago

JD Vance responds to second assassination attempt on Trump’s life

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, responded to the second attempted assassination former President Trump. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, responded to the second attempted assassination on his running mate, former President Trump. 

Vance wrote in a post on social media that he was “glad” Trump was safe after the incident at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the former president was playing a round on Sunday. 

“I spoke to [Trump] before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance wrote. “Still much we don’t know, but I’ll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.” 

Secret Service agents fired shots after spotting someone hiding in shrubbery and poking a rifle through the fence at the golf course just one hole away from the former president. 

The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, a native of North Carolina, fled from the golf course, but was quickly captured by authorities after a witness shared a photo of his vehicle.

Posted by Stephen Sorace Share

26 min(s) ago

Acting Secret Service director in West Palm Beach for site walk-through

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe is in West Palm Beach today meeting with local law enforcement and members of the Secret Service following a second assassination attempt against former President Trump.

Secret Service Chief Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed Rowe’s presence in a statement to Fox News on Sunday. Rowe will conduct a walkthrough of the site of the shooting later Monday.

Rowe joined the Secret Service in 1999, prior to which he served as a police officer in West Palm Beach.

Trump was declared safe shortly after Sunday’s incident, where suspected gunman Ryan Wesley Routh was found lying in wait in bushes just one hole away from the former president. Secret Service agents opened fire on him before he could act. He fled, but was soon apprehended thanks to a witness who photographed his escape vehicle, a black Nissan.

Fox News’ David Spunt contributed to this report

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

1 hour(s) ago

Witness saw Trump assassination suspect flee bushes, took photo of getaway car

Florida authorities say an unknown witness took a photo of the suspected Trump gunman’s car after he saw Ryan Welsey Routh flee out of bushes on Sunday.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw delivered a press conference alongside FBI and other law enforcement shortly after the incident Sunday.

“We were able to locate a witness who came to us and said, ‘Hey, I saw the guy running out of the bushes. He jumped into a black Nissan,” Bradshaw said. He added that the witness took a photo of the vehicle, including its “tag.”

The vehicle was later found on I-95 heading toward Martin County. The Martin County’s Sheriff’s Office then stopped the vehicle and detained Routh.

Police later discovered an AK-47 in the bushes near where Trump was playing golf. It had a scope, and two backpacks were discovered next to it, along with a GoPro.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom Share

1 hour(s) ago

Biden condemns ‘political violence’ after 2nd Trump assassination attempt

President Biden on Sunday condemned “political violence” following the second assassination attempt on former President Trump earlier in the day.

The Democratic president said he had been briefed on the incident and the federal investigation into the matter.

“A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe,” Biden said in a statement, adding that he was “relieved” the Republican presidential candidate was “unharmed.”

“There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened,” Biden said. “As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”