NBC News has confirmed the identity of the would-be assassin detained by authorities on Sunday after a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“The individual in custody who was shot by Secret Service personnel while in possession of a semi-automatic rifle is Ryan Wesley Routh, 58,” said three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. NBC Confirmed on sunday.
Attempts were made to trace Ryan Wesley Routh's social media footprint on Sunday but remain unconfirmed.
Authorities said the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump was seen standing between 300 and 500 yards from the former president on Sunday, holding a scoped rifle.
“How far away was the president when this man was arrested?” reporters asked officials at a press conference on Sunday.
“Probably between 300 and 500 yards,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said, “but with a rifle and a scope, that's not that long of a distance.”
Between four and six shots were fired by Secret Service personnel, and it is unclear whether the assailants returned fire.
As to why the would-be assassins were able to get so close to the former president, despite the assassination attempt on him in June, authorities said the security radius was not as wide because he was a presidential candidate and not a sitting president.
“You have to understand that the golf course is surrounded by shrubs,” Bradshaw said. “If someone goes into the shrubs, they can barely see anything. At this level, [Trump] “Where he is right now is because he's not a sitting president. If he were a sitting president, he would have the whole golf course under siege.”
In a statement, the White House said: “The President and Vice President were briefed on the security incident at Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was playing golf. They are relieved to learn that former President Trump is safe. Their teams will provide regular updates.”
Another post Speaking on Channel X, Vice President Kamala Harris said she had been briefed on the incident, adding: “I'm glad he's safe. Violence has no place in America.”
“I'm glad President Trump is safe. I spoke with him before the news was made public and he is in amazing spirits. There's still a lot we don't know, but tonight I'm going to hug my children even tighter than usual and say a prayer of thanks.” said President Trump's running mate, JD Vance.
“Gwen and I are happy to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in this country. That is not who our country is,” said Tim Walz, Kamala Harris' running mate. said on sunday.
