Update: (9:00 p.m)
WASHINGTON — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said the state will independently investigate the apparent assassination attempt on Trump.
“The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” he posted on X.
The FBI was leading the investigation and was working to determine a motive. Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were helping investigate.DeSantis challenged Trump in the Republican primaries earlier this year, and the fight was contentious and personal.
They reconciled earlier this year well after DeSantis dropped out of the race.
Update: (9:00 p.m.)
President Joe Biden issued the following statement late Sunday:
“I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. 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. I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. 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.”
Update (6:20 p.m.)
I’ve reached out to President @realDonaldTrump and just spoke with @PBCountySheriff Ric Bradshaw about the assassination attempt.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) September 15, 2024
God bless our law enforcement. The vile rhetoric toward Trump is dangerous and must stop.
Update (6:05 p.m.)
The man who authorities say pointed a rifle with a scope into former President Donald Trump’s golf club and was arrested is Ryan Wesley Routh, three law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.
The law enforcement officials identified the suspect to The AP but spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Secret Service agents shot at the suspect, who was taken into custody after fleeing the scene of what the FBI is calling an apparent attempted assassination of the Republican presidential nominee. Authorities are working to determine a motive.
Update (5:30 p.m.)
Trump’s running mate JD Vance posted on X that he spoke to the former president before the news became public and said “he was, amazingly, in good spirits.”
Vance said there was still a lot “we don’t know” about the incident.
Update (5:00 p.m)
The FBI said Sunday that agents were investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
Update (4:45 p.m.)
A man with an AK-style rifle pushed the firearm’s muzzle through the perimeter of Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida golf course Sunday as the Republican presidential candidate was playing a round, prompting U.S. Secret Service to open fire, according to three law enforcement officials. The former president is safe and unharmed.
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Donald Trump’s campaign says he is safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity Sunday afternoon in Florida.
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The campaign did not immediately provide any additional details.
The news comes roughly two months after the Republican presidential nominee was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Campaign communications director Steven Cheung says Trump was safe.
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