Sunday, December 22, 2024

Suspect in second Trump assassination attempt in court: Live update

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Secret Service reveal how close Donald Trump was to golf course shooting suspect

Donald Trump was the subject of a second apparent assassination attempt at one of his golf courses in Florida on Sunday, the FBI has said.

The former president is safe and unharmed and the bureau says it is investigating the latest security episode involving the Republican presidential nominee, just nine weeks after he survived a previous attempt on his life when he was shot in the ear by a sniper at a rally in Pennsylvania.

A man was spotted aiming an AK-47-type rifle at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf resort while concealed in shrubbery about 400 to 500 yards away from the politician when he was spotted by Secret Service agents who opened fire as he fled the scene.

He was later stopped in a Nissan SUV by police and taken into custody in a neighboring county, according to local sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

The suspect has since been named as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who is believed to have criticised Trump on social media and expressed his willingness to “fight and die” in Ukraine, a cause in which he appears to have been intensely invested.

Routh is currently appearing in court in West Palm Beach to face charges.

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Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh appears in court in West Palm Beach

Routh is “wearing dark prison scrubs and with his hands and feet shackled”, per CNN.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 15:20

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Sheriff’s office releases picture of moment Ryan Wesley Routh arrested

Martin County Sheriff’s Office released this new photo of the suspect a little while ago.

Ryan Wesley Routh, suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at the former president’s Florida golf course
Ryan Wesley Routh, suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at the former president’s Florida golf course (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 15:10

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Piers Morgan reacts to ‘disgusting’ joke about latest Trump assassination attempt

The British commentator has reacted with fury after Rachel Vindman, the wife of whistleblower Alexander Vindman, made a joke about the latest assassination attempt on Trump.

Here’s Greg Evans to explain.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 14:50

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Acting Secret Service directly to remain in Florida ‘indefinitely’ to oversee investigation

It’s possible Ryan Wesley Routh could appear in court later today.

Meanwhile, acting US Secret Service director Ronald Rowe, who replaced Kimberly Cheatle after Butler fiasco, has said he will be in Florida to oversee the investigation for as long as it takes, reviewing the golf course and the suspect’s movements this afternoon.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 14:20

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Elon Musk deletes ‘joke’ that ‘no one is trying to assassinate Biden and Harris’ following fierce backlash

The tech entrepreneur has deleted what he now claims was a “joke” about how “no one is trying to assassinate” President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris following the second attempt on Donald Trump’s life on Sunday.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 13:50

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Trump to unveil crypto project amid scams and fears of ‘huge embarrassment’

The former president and his sons Donald Jr and Eric were due to be unveiling their new cryptocurrency project “World Liberty Financial” at his Florida golf course later today and, so far, we have not heard about any change to their plans.

Here’s Anthony Cuthbertson on Trump’s latest dubious business venture.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 13:20

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Watch live view of Trump’s golf course in Florida after second assassination attempt on former president

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 12:50

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Recap: What we know about Trump shooting suspect caught with an AK-47 and a GoPro

Here’s our updated profile of Ryan Wesley Routh by Tom Watling, Justin Rohrlich, Gustaf Kilander and Rhian Lubin as more details continue to emerge about his background.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 12:45

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Recap: Second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump foiled by Secret Service at Florida golf club

If you’re just joining us, Donald Trump was the subject of another apparent assassination attempt at one of his golf courses in Florida on Sunday, the FBI has said.

The former president is safe and unharmed and the bureau says it is investigating the latest security episode involving the Republican presidential nominee, just nine weeks after he survived a previous attempt on his life when he was shot in the ear by a sniper at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

A man was spotted aiming an AK-47-type rifle at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course while concealed in shrubbery about 400 to 500 yards away from the politician yesterday when he was spotted by Secret Service agents who opened fire as he fled the scene.

He was later stopped in a Nissan SUV by police and taken into custody in a neighboring county, according to local sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

The suspect has since been named as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, with the alleged gunman believed to have criticised Trump on social media and expressed his willingness to “fight and die” in Ukraine, a cause in which he appears to have been intensely invested.

Authorities have since found two backpacks hanging on a fence and a GoPro camera at the scene.

Here’s John Bowden’s report.

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 12:25

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World leaders react to latest attempt on Trump’s life

We’ve already heard from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Sir Keir Starmer on yesterday’s alarming incident at the Republican’s Florida golf course.

Here is some further reaction from other heads of state around the world:

  • Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is glad Trump is “safe and unharmed” and states that violence has “no place” in politics.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is “relieved” Trump is safe while cautioning “we should not rely on luck”.
  • Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban, a close friend of Trump, has said: “We are praying for you, Mr President!”
  • Italy’s deputy PM Matteo Salvini, also a Trump supporter, said: “Trials, violent [individuals], fanatics and communists won’t stop us. [We go] forward with our head held high.”
  • Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese has meanwhile expressed “concern” and said it is “a good thing” Trump is safe, adding: “Everyone wants the democratic process to be peaceful and to be orderly.”

Joe Sommerlad16 September 2024 12:05

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