Shooter was close to Trump because he ‘is not a sitting president,’ sheriff says

A gunman reportedly came within 500 yards of former President Donald Trump during a shooting at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, highlighting the 2024 Republican presidential candidate’s potential security vulnerabilities. The suspect was later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, officials told The Associated Press.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw revealed details of the incident Sunday afternoon during a press conference, shedding light on how the suspect managed to get so close to the former president.

“The golf course is surrounded by bushes, so when someone goes into the bushes, they’re pretty much out of sight,” Bradshaw explained. He added a crucial point about Trump’s current security status: “And at the level he’s at right now, he’s not the sitting president…”

The statement underscores the difference in security protocols between a sitting president and a former president, even one who is actively campaigning for office. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of protection for high-profile political figures who are not currently in office.

According to law enforcement, a Secret Service agent spotted the shooter with a rifle sticking out of a fence lined with bushes on the golf course around 1:30 p.m. EST. The agent “engaged in combat” with the suspect, who then fled in a vehicle. The shooter was later apprehended and taken into custody.

The FBI has informed Newsweek Investigators have called the incident an “assassination attempt,” the second such attempt against Trump in less than three months. On July 13, Trump was the target of another assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired at him from a nearby rooftop, 164 yards away from the former president.

The proximity of the shooter in this latest incident — between 300 and 500 yards from Trump — has alarmed security experts and campaign officials. It highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting presidential candidates and former presidents in a variety of settings, particularly in large outdoor spaces like golf courses.

Trump spokesman Steven Chueng assured the public in a statement to Newsweek that the former president “is safe after gunfire in his neighborhood.” Trump himself later released a statement, declaring, “I AM SAFE AND HEALTHY! Nothing will slow me down. I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!” He also expressed gratitude to his supporters, emphasizing themes of unity and his campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again.”

The incident has reignited debate over the level of protection afforded to former presidents and sitting presidential candidates. While sitting presidents receive the highest level of security from the Secret Service, protocols for former presidents and candidates can vary, leaving gaps that determined attackers could exploit.

This is a developing story that will be updated as information becomes available.