By Jerald Jimenez
Sep 17, 2024, 10:25 AM EDT
Former US President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service for its quick intervention in capturing the suspect in an attempted assassination attempt against him. The incident occurred on Sunday at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“It was a pretty complicated situation, but the Secret Service did an excellent job. They have arrested the suspect, and we expect him to remain in custody for a long time,” Trump said in a conversation with cryptocurrency expert Farokh Sarmad on social media network X.
The former president said he was playing golf with friends when shots were heard, prompting the Secret Service to quickly evacuate him. Trump also highlighted the cooperation of a witness who photographed the suspect’s license plate, which facilitated his location and arrest.
“They caught him after a high-speed chase. It was incredible. The Secret Service did a great job, and I can honestly say the sheriff’s office and law enforcement did an excellent job as well. I’m very happy about that,” Trump added.
Trump also thanked President Joe Biden for the call he received to check on his well-being and discuss possible security reinforcements: “He was very kind to call to make sure I was okay.”
The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested Sunday afternoon in West Palm Beach as he approached the golf course where the former president was playing while armed with an AK-47 rifle with a telescopic sight.
His arrest, which was carried out by the Secret Service, occurred after the subject tried to flee in a car on a nearby highway.
With information from EFE