Following an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf course on Sunday afternoon, former President Donald Trump is safe, according to US authorities, who have also confirmed that a “potential suspect” is in custody.
According to officials, Secret Service agents opened fire on him after spotting a rifle barrel sticking through some bushes. The FBI stated Trump was 300-500 yards (275 to 455m) away at the time.
A witness described seeing the suspect, who has been named by US media as Ryan Routh, emerging from some bushes and hopping into a black Nissan car after the agents had fired at him a number of times.
Subsequently, two backpacks, a GoPro camera, and a gun akin to an AK47 were discovered at the scene.
The witness took a picture of the vehicle and number plate and it was stopped later in Martin County, north of the club.
“We got a hold of Martin County Sheriff’s Office, alerted them, and they spotted the vehicle and pulled it over and detained the guy,” said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County.
“After that, we took the witness that witnessed the incident, flew him up there and he identified as the person that he saw running out of the bushes, that jumped into the car,” the sheriff told a news briefing.
It is unclear whether or not the gunman fired at either the former president or the agents.
“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents, but for sure our agents were able to engage with the suspect,” said Rafael Barros from the Secret Service Miami Field Office.
In an email to his supporters, Trump said he was “safe and well”.
“Nothing will slow me down,” he wrote. “I will never surrender!”
