Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe on Sunday after the Secret Service foiled what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service agents spotted a gunman in bushes near the property line, several hundred yards from where Trump was playing. They engaged the suspect, who fled, leaving behind an AK-47-style assault rifle and other items. The gunman, later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from Hawaii, was arrested after fleeing in a vehicle.

The incident came just two months after Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, suffering a minor injury to his right ear. These events highlight the challenges of ensuring the safety of presidential candidates during a heated and polarized campaign, with just over seven weeks remaining before the November 5 election.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated that Secret Service agents noticed a rifle barrel poking from the bushes 400–500 yards away from Trump and acted swiftly. The suspect fled in a black Nissan, and a witness provided photos of the car, which helped lead to Routh’s arrest by deputies in Martin County, about 40 miles away.

Fox News presenter Sean Hannity reported that Trump and real estate investor Steve Witkoff, who was with Trump, heard gunshots during the fifth hole. The Secret Service promptly shielded Trump. Trump later sent an email to supporters, assuring them that he was safe and unharmed.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the situation and relieved to know Trump was safe. Biden directed his team to ensure the Secret Service had sufficient resources for Trump’s protection. Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, condemned the violence in a social media post.

Trump’s running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance, said the former president remained in good spirits despite the incident.