Former U.S. President Donald Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt in Florida on Sunday, according to the FBI. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was taken into custody after Secret Service agents fired shots near Trump's golf course. Officials recovered an AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope, along with a GoPro camera, at the scene.

According to authorities, Routh fled after Secret Service agents spotted him hiding near the golf course and opened fire. He managed to escape in a black car, but witnesses provided details that helped police track down and arrest him.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed the arrest, stating, "We currently have someone in custody who is a potential suspect."

Who is Ryan Wesley Routh?

Routh, a former construction worker from Greensboro, North Carolina, had no military background but had previously expressed strong interest in participating in armed conflicts, particularly in Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion. According to reports, he had posted on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), about his desire to "fight and die" in Ukraine.

In his online posts, Routh advocated for civilians to take an active role in shaping the outcome of global conflicts. He allegedly traveled to Ukraine in 2023 to assist in the war effort and claimed to have been involved in recruiting Afghan soldiers.

This was not Routh’s first encounter with law enforcement. In 2002, he was arrested after barricading himself inside a building with a fully automatic weapon in Greensboro, though the outcome of that case remains unclear.

Trump Safe After Incident

Following the incident, Trump's campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, confirmed that the former president was safe. Trump himself assured supporters in a message that no one was hurt, stating, "Fear not! I am safe and well, thank God!"

This assassination attempt follows another incident just weeks earlier, when a gunman reportedly targeted Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. The bullet grazed his ear, and the suspect was shot dead by authorities.

Investigation Ongoing

The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident, and more details are expected as authorities continue their probe into Routh's motives and actions.

This latest incident highlights the heightened security risks surrounding Trump as he campaigns for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.