The man accused of a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was strangely calm when he was apprehended by police, according to the Florida sheriff who arrested him.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said he immediately became suspicious of 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh after pulling him over. Routh spotted a Secret Service agent pointing a rifle over a fence and opened fire before fleeing in a black Nissan. Trump International Golf Club The former president was playing in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“I was there and he had a very neutral, calm look on his face, so I got the feeling he didn't care,” Snyder said.
Snyder added that Routh never asked why he was pulled over, even though there were helicopters and police lights everywhere.
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Ryan Routh is accused of pointing an AK-47 at former President Donald Trump while he was playing golf at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday. This is being investigated as a second assassination attempt against Trump. (Source: Fox News Digital)
Snyder said Routh was believed to have had an AK-47 outside the golf course on Sunday while Trump was playing the fifth hole. He was arrested in neighboring Martin County.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said at a press conference that the plot was thwarted when a Secret Service agent walking one hall away from Trump's party spotted the rifle.
Authorities said Routh was about 300 to 500 yards away from Trump.
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A photo of evidence found on the fence of former President Donald Trump's golf course was released during a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024, following the second assassination attempt on the president. (Kandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
“I think any American with common sense, no matter where you are on the political spectrum, recognizes that this is absolutely horrible. It's absolutely horrible,” Snyder said.
“Here we have a former president of the United States, a candidate for president of the United States. And the guy is out golfing. What's this? He's out golfing. He's not even campaigning,” Snyder continued.
Authorities said Routh had two backpacks, a ceramic bullet-deflecting plate and a GoPro camera, which were recovered by authorities.
An AK-47 was also recovered by the authorities.
“How can you walk up to a fence with a tactical rifle and aim at a golf course where a former president of the United States is playing golf? I find it appalling and, unfortunately, I think it speaks to the state of America right now,” Snyder said.
Snyder also praised the efforts of local police in arresting Routh.
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A sheriff's vehicle is parked near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, after gunshots were reported near former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
“I think the Palm Beach County police officers did everything they could to keep President Trump safe, and I think they're going to redouble their efforts and do even more going forward,” he added.
The former president echoed Snyder, praising the Secret Service's swift response after gunfire rang out, surrounding Trump and quickly escorting him to the clubhouse in a golf cart.
Just two months ago, Trump was shot in the right ear by an assassin during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania., Trump reassured his supporters that he was “safe and well.”
“Gunshots were heard near me but before the rumors get out of control I want you to hear this first: I am safe and well!” the former president said in a fundraising email sent after the shooting.
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“Nothing will stop me. I will never give in! I will always love all of you who support me,” Trump added.
Fox News Digital's Peter Burke contributed to this report.
