THE suspect behind Donald Trump’s second assassination attempt has been unmasked.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested by cops in West Palm Beach, Florida, after gunshots were heard near the former president’s golf course.
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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 the agents spotted someone they suspected of aiming the weapon from nearby bushes.
The would-be assassin – who managed to get within 400-500 yards of Trump – attempted to flee the scene in an SUV but was caught by officials and taken into custody.
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An AK-47 style rifle, backpacks and a GoPro camera were found discarded by the golf club.
Martin County Sherriff William D. Snyder said 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.
Routh was allegedly convicted in 2002 of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, according to online North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records seen by News Nation.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the gunman was 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 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.”
He later returned to the course.
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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