Local authorities said US Secret Service agents opened fire on a man who was pointing an AK-style rifle with a scope at Mr Trump, while he was playing at one of his golf courses in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Here are five things to know about what happened to the Republican presidential candidate on September 15:
An AK-47 rifle, a backpack and a Go-Pro camera on a fence outside Trump International Golf Club, September 15. Photo: AP
Who is the suspect?
Law enforcement officials said the man who was arrested with the rifle was Ryan Wesley Routh.
Records show Routh, 58, lived in North Carolina for most of his life before moving to Kaaawa, Hawaii, in 2018, where he and his son ran a warehouse construction company.
Routh frequently posts on social media about the war in Ukraine and often tries to raise funds and recruit volunteers to go to Kiev to join the conflict with Russia. In June 2020, Routh posted on X that President Trump would be re-elected if he issued an executive order to the Justice Department to prosecute police misconduct.
However, in recent years, Routh's posts have shown that he no longer favors Mr. Trump and has expressed support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Records show that while living in Greensboro, North Carolina, Routh had several run-ins with law enforcement. He was convicted in 2002 of possessing a weapon of mass destruction.
How did the assassination attempt happen?
Local authorities said the gunman was about 400 to 1,500 feet (365 to 457 meters) away from Mr. Trump and was hiding in the bushes as the former President played golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Secret Service agents were scanning the area for threats when they found the suspect hiding in the grass near the property line, holding an AK-47 assault rifle. Agents engaged the gunman and fired at least four rounds at around 1:30 p.m. local time on September 15.
Ric Bradshaw, the sheriff of Palm Beach County, said the entire golf course would be protected by law enforcement if Mr Trump were president, but since he is not president, "security is limited to areas that the Secret Service deems possible".
Mr Trump's security is more heightened than some of his counterparts because of his popularity and his re-election bid.
What has Trump said since the incident?
In a message to his supporters, Mr. Trump said: "There were gunshots near me, but before the rumors spread out of control, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND HEALTHY!"
His running mate, JD Vance, and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said they had spoken to Mr Trump after the incident. Both said Mr Trump was “in good spirits”. The former president also spoke to several Fox News hosts.
Fox News host Sean Hannity spoke to Trump and his golfing buddy Steve Witkoff after the incident. They told Hannity they were on the fifth hole when they heard “pop pop, pop pop.” He said Witkoff said within seconds, Secret Service agents “pounced” and covered Trump.
Moments later, a steel-reinforced vehicle was prepared along with other protective measures to take Mr. Trump away.
What did Vice President Kamala Harris say?
Ms Harris, Mr Trump's Democratic opponent in the presidential election, posted on X that she had been informed of reports of gunfire.
"I'm glad he's safe. Violence has no place in America."
The White House said President Joe Biden and Ms Harris would be updated on the investigation. The White House added that it was “relieved” to know Mr Trump was safe.
What happens next?
Mr. Trump has not announced any changes to his schedule and is expected to speak live on X on the evening of September 16 from the Mar-a-Lago resort to launch his son's cryptocurrency platform.
Meanwhile, leaders of the bipartisan congressional task force investigating the July 13 Trump assassination said they had asked the Secret Service to brief them on the incident.
“We are grateful that the former President was not injured, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all its forms,” Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., said in a statement. They said the task force would share updates.
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida who is a member of the task force, said he "will seek answers about what happened."
Hoai Phuong (according to AP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/vu-am-sat-hut-ong-trump-nghi-pham-ung-ho-ukraine-thoat-nan-trong-gang-tac-post312560.html
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