Authorities revealed that Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, did not have a chance to target or fire at him during the incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Despite spending nearly 12 hours lying in wait, Routh never got Trump in his sightline, according to the Secret Service.
Secret Service Acting Director Ron Roe clarified the situation in a Tuesday press conference, stating that an alert agent noticed a gun barrel emerging from the tree line near the sixth green, well before Trump arrived at that part of the course. The agent, stationed hundreds of yards ahead of the former president, immediately opened fire toward the suspect at around 1:31 p.m. ET. Routh did not return fire and quickly fled the scene.
Roe also confirmed that Trump was never in direct danger, adding, “At no time was the former president in the sight line of the suspect.”
Routh made his first appearance in federal court following his arrest. Court documents reveal that Routh’s phone data placed him near the Trump golf course as early as 1:59 a.m. on Sunday, where authorities believe he was waiting to ambush the former president.
Although the former president’s visit was “off the record” and not publicly scheduled, the Secret Service had heightened security measures in place, including aerial surveillance and counter snipers, following a previous assassination attempt on Trump in July in Pennsylvania.
As Trump played his round of golf, the Secret Service agent’s sharp eye and swift action likely prevented the situation from escalating further. According to the criminal complaint, after the agent fired at the rifle, Routh fled and was seen entering his Nissan vehicle, leaving the golf course behind.
Routh’s court case is now underway, and more details are expected to emerge.
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