Mon Sep 16 17:00:28 UTC 2024: ## Former President Trump Targeted in Second Apparent Assassination Attempt
**West Palm Beach, Florida** – Former President Donald Trump was the target of a second apparent assassination attempt in nine weeks on Sunday, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after a Secret Service agent spotted him with a rifle near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
According to a criminal complaint, Routh was reportedly near the golf course for nearly 12 hours before being apprehended. He is facing charges of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The incident unfolded while Trump was playing a round of golf. A Secret Service agent noticed a rifle protruding from the tree line and fired in the direction of the weapon, prompting Routh to flee. Authorities later recovered a loaded rifle, two bags, and a digital camera from the scene.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an attempted assassination. Witnesses reported seeing Routh aiming his rifle towards Trump, who was approximately 300 to 500 yards away. Secret Service agents fired multiple rounds at Routh before he dropped his weapon and fled in a vehicle.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the incident, emphasizing that there is no place for political violence in the United States. Biden called for increased support for the Secret Service, stating that they “need more help.”
Routh has a history of criminal activity in North Carolina dating back to 1997. He pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon of mass destruction in 2002, as well as various other offenses including theft and traffic violations.
Authorities are now investigating Routh’s motives and scrutinizing his social media activity, travel history, and any potential connections to Trump’s stance on Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are expected.
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