For the second time in just over two months, a gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, this time at his golf resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, a few miles from his residence at Mar-a-Lago.
One suspect has been detained, 58-year-old convicted felon Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii, who was armed with an automatic rifle near where Trump was leaving the Trump International Golf Club after a round of golf. It is unclear whether Routh fired any shots, but he was taken into custody by local police after fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
"Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a possible attempted assassination shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday,” said Rafael Barros, the head of the Secret Service’s Miami Field Office, in a joint press conference with Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
“U.S. Secret Service personnel opened fire on a gunman located near the property line. The FBI has assumed its role as the lead agency investigating this matter."
We are working closely with the @FBIHQ, @PBCountySheriff, and other law enforcement partners to investigate the details of today's protective incident in Florida. You can access our formal statement from this evening's press conference here: https://t.co/sYjP5drJ1G pic.twitter.com/pduCSH3pca
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) September 16, 2024
Initially reported as a shooting unrelated to the former president, law enforcement officials later confirmed that it was likely the latest attempt to kill Trump, who was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13 that left two dead.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day!” Trump posted on Truth Social late Sunday night.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE.”
The Florida shooter, Routh, had an extensive criminal record, including a conviction in 2002 on firearm and other charges after a standoff with police in North Carolina. He was sentenced for driving without a license in 2003, as well as for carrying a concealed weapon and leaving the scene of a car accident. He was convicted on theft charges in 2010.
As with the Pennsylvania shooter—20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene of his assassination attempt—Routh is believed to hold a variety of ideological viewpoints.
On his now-suspended Twitter/X account, he revealed conservative viewpoints and that he voted for Trump in 2016. However, he later soured on him and stated he would be “happy when Trump is gone.” Routh also espoused a number of COVID-19 conspiracy theories during the global pandemic, but also donated to Democratic causes and opposed Zionism. He voted as a Democrat in the 2024 presidential primary in North Carolina.
Most recently, Routh claimed to have fought in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, and promoted recruiting efforts for various geopolitical conflicts around the world, including in Haiti and Taiwan. Even so, he at times espoused nonviolence.
“Killing anywhere is extremely tragic,” he wrote in May 2022 following the White Supremacist mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.
Following Routh’s suspected attempt on Trump’s life Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning political violence, echoing his comments from just weeks ago.
“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,” he said, “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.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was briefed on the situation during a campaign stop in Philadelphia for her 2024 presidential campaign, said she was “deeply disturbed” to hear of a second assassination attempt against her opponent.
“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more to violence.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 16, 2024
Read my statement: pic.twitter.com/JcuKJPHYdA
Similar statements have been issued by the two known Black Catholics currently serving in Congress, Democrat Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Gabe Amo of Rhode Island.
“I urge a full and transparent investigation and hope the perpetrator will be held accountable,” said Amo, who sits on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
Some advocates have taken the incident as an opportunity to speak on the need for gun control—a top issue in the Democrats’ platform for the current election cycle. The Human Rights Campaign, led by a Black Catholic in Kelley Robinson, was among them.
“Political violence and guns are a dangerous combination, and there is no place for this violence in our country,” the organization wrote on Twitter/X.
“It's time for meaningful action to ensure the safety everyone deserves.”
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
