'GUNMAN' ARREST
Donald Trump’s second would-be ‘assassin’ unmasked as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who was hiding out on golf course with gun
An AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera were recovered from a bush by the golf course
THE suspect behind Donald Trump's second assassination attempt has been unmasked as a pro-Ukraine activist.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested by cops in Florida after Secret Service agents saw a rifle poking out of bushes at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club.
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It comes almost exactly two months after Trump was shot in the ear by a gunman in Pennsylvania on July 13.
On Sunday, the ex-US president, 78, was rushed to safety as Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman brandishing an AK-47 in nearby bushes.
Trump was playing a round of golf when an advance agent spotted the barrel of a gun protruding from nearby bushes.
Would-be assassin Routh - who managed to get within 400-500 yards of Trump - fled the scene in an SUV after being fired on.
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But he was later caught by cops and taken into custody.
An AK-47 style rifle, backpacks and a GoPro camera were found discarded by the golf club.
Martin County Sherriff William D. Snyder said registered Democrat Routh "was not displaying a lot of emotions" when police arrested him.
He added that the suspect was "relatively calm" and ";never asked" why he was being detained.
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Routh is understood to have voted from Trump in 2016 before turning on the multi-millionaire candidate.
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He is understood to be listed as a Democrat on the voters' register in North Carolina.
But on social media, he also expressed support for a White House ticket combining the unsuccessful Republican presidential contenders Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley.
Routh was allegedly convicted in 2002 of possessing a weapon of mass destruction.
This was referring to a full automatic machine gun which he was found to have after barricading himself inside a roofing business.
He had been pulled over for a traffic stop - and then placed his hand on a gun, sparking the stand-off.
Public records appear to show Routh was charged with more than 100 offences between 1998 and 2019 and has been arrested eight times.
Routh is a pro-Ukraine activist who tried to recruit soldiers to battle against Vladimir Putin's forces, it is reported.
Back in 2022, Routh travelled to Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion.
He posted on his social media profile that he urged the US to send more arms and urged civilians also to join him.
Routh ranted that the US military should be put on “paid leave” so they could go and fight.
He also tweeted at Kamala Harris and Joe Biden after the previous assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
In the wake of the shooting on July 13 at one of his rallies, Routh urged the president and vice president to visit the injured in the hospital.
He wrote: “You and Biden should visit the injured people in the hospital from the Trump rally and attend the funeral of the murdered fireman.”
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, he managed to get around 400 to 500 yards away from Mr Trump, hiding in bushes.
He claimed that a Secret Service agent patrolling the course ahead of Mr Trump observed a gun barrel protruding from a perimeter fence.
"He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off," said Bradshaw.
Officials said it's unclear whether the suspect fired first - or at all - or whether just the Secret Service did.
An eyewitness saw the suspect fleeing from the bushes in a black Nissan.
The witness contacted law enforcement and provided images of the vehicle and its number plate, which were utilised to alert other authorities to be on the watch.
The FBI confirmed they saved the Republican presidential candidate from an “assassination attempt” as he played golf at his National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Would-be assassin Routh was in custody last night being quizzed over the incident at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
His black car was also impounded.
Mr Trump declared on social media: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE
“Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you.”
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The club is just five miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach.
He is often spotted golfing there when he is not on the campaign trail.
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