Former United States President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been declared safe after the Secret Service foiled what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt while he was golfing on his course in West Palm Beach, Florida in U.S. on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Several Secret Service agents fired on a gunman in bushes near the property line of the golf course after he was spotted a few hundred yards from where Trump was playing, law enforcement officials said.

The suspect left an AK-47-style assault rifle and other items at the scene and fled in a vehicle and was later arrested.

The apparent attempt on Trump’s life came just two months after he was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, sustaining a minor injury to his right ear.

Both incidents highlight the challenges of keeping presidential candidates safe in a hotly contested and polarized campaign with just over seven weeks to go before the November 5 election.

“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!,” Trump said on social media on Sunday night, thanking Secret Service and police for keeping him safe.

The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii. The FBI declined to comment and Reuters could not independently verify his identity.

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It was not clear if or how the suspect knew Trump was playing golf at the time, or what his motive was, but the attempted attack was sure to raise new questions about the level of protection he is given, according to Reuters.

In response to a reporter’s question, officials acknowledged that because Trump is not in office, the full golf course was not cordoned off.

“If he was, we would have had the entire golf course surrounded,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during Sunday’s briefing.

“Because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” he added.

Soon after the incident, Trump sent an email to his supporters, saying: “Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender!”

President Joe Biden later said he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service has the resources it needs to ensure Trump’s safety.

Biden said on X: “I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today.

“A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe.

“I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened.

“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”

The Star