Trump whisked to safety as Secret Service stops shooter in apparent assassination attempt

Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following an apparent assassination attempt Sunday afternoon in which gunshots were fired in his vicinity while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The FBI and the Secret Service are investigating the incident as an assassination attempt on Trump.

Law enforcement sources have identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, Fox News reported, though few details about him have become public as of yet.

Secret Service agents reportedly spotted the suspect two holes ahead of Trump, prompting the suspect to flee after the discharge of gunshots, CBS News reported. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has confirmed that the gunman was hidden in a shrubbery roughly 400-500 yards away from the former president, according to the Associated Press.

"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time," Trump spokesman Steven Cheung confirmed in an initial statement. Trump himself subsequently sent out an alert on social media declaring that he is "SAFE AND WELL."

Sheriff William D. Snyder of Martin County, Florida, has stated that the shooter had an AK-47 rifle and a suspect is in custody.

Secret Service agents opened fire on a man who was seen with what may have been a gun while former President Trump was on the golf course, according to law enforcement sources, the New York Post reported.

"Sources said the Secret Service spotted a suspicious individual on the Trump International Golf Course West Palm Beach, and opened fire when agents saw what appeared to be the barrel of a gun," according to the Post.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Sunday evening, saying he had "been briefed" on the incident.

"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," he said. "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.