Donald Trump vows ‘I will never surrender’ after gunman ‘armed with AK-47’ is shot at by Secret Service at his golf club

What do we know about the alleged gunman?

CNN and CBS reported that Ryan Wesley Routh was a self-employed affordable housing builder in Hawaii who had an arrest record spanning decades and regularly posted on politics and current events, including sometimes criticizing Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.

One cause Routh expressed support for was Ukraine’s fight against the invasion launched by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

“I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE… Can I be the example We must win,” Routh said in an X post in March 2022, according to the New York Times, which also interviewed him.

Trump shooting attempt: what we know so far

‘This is truly appalling’, says Nigel Farage

British politician Nigel Farage says the attempt on Trump’s life is “truly appalling”.

The Reform MP for Clacton in Essex is well known as a supporter of Trump and travelled to America following the attempt on the life of the former president in Pennsylvania in July.

Farage had said he would spend part of this year campaigning for Trump in the US, before he was elected as an MP in July.

Another attempt on Trump’s life. This is truly appalling.— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) September 16, 2024

‘Fear not’ says Trump’s fundraising page

Trump’s fundraising page has been updated with a defiant message after the assassination attempt.

When opening the website, a message pops up saying: “I am Donald J. Trump. Fear not.

“I am safe and well and no one was hurt. Thank God. 

“But, there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us.

“I will not stop fighting for you. I will never surrender!

“I will always love you for supporting me.

“Through our UNITY we will Make America Great Again!.”

Biden ‘relieved’ Trump unharmed

Joe Biden said he was “relieved” Trump was “unharmed”.

He said: “A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former president and those around him safe.

“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country.”

Biden added he had directed his team to make sure the Secret Service has “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary” to keep Trump safe.

Secret Service spotted rifle poking out fence

Secret Service agents shot at a would-be assassin after spotting a rifle poking through a fence.

An official had jumped “one hole ahead” of Trump to search the area on the golf course.

He then opened fire at the suspect after spotting the weapon.

Palm Beach County Sheriff said: “He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off.”

Police said it was unclear whether the suspect, who was within 500 yards of Trump, had taken a shot.

'Glad' to hear Donald Trump is safe, says Zelensky

The president of Ukraine has released a statement, below, on the shooting at Trump's golf course in Florida.

He says "political violence" has no place anywhere in the world.

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‘My father is running out of lives’

Eric Trump has said his father is “running out of lives”.

It comes after Trump was targeted by a would-be assassin just weeks after being shot at a rally in Pennsylvania.

He told Fox News: “My father is running out of lives here.

“How many more rifles are going to come within assassination distance of my father?”.

Suspect ‘has been charged with 100 offences’

Routh was charged with more than 100 criminal offences between 1998 and 2019.

In 2002, a man whose name and ages matches the suspect barricaded himself in his then home in North Carolina during a standoff with police.

The then 36-year-old was pulled over during a traffic stop before driving off and locking himself inside, Greensboro News and Record reported.

Hours later he was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction – a fully automatic machine gun. 

Routh was also charged with resisting, delaying and obstructing a law enforcement officer and driving while licence revoked.

Nancy Pelosi says there is 'never a place for political violence'

Nancy Pelosi has said there is “never a place for political violence” after Trump’s assassination attempt.

The former House Speaker commended the work of law enforcement in her post on X.

Democrat Pelosi wrote: “There never is a place for political violence of any kind in America.

“As the investigation into today’s incident continues, let us commend law enforcement for their actions to keep the former President safe from harm.”

Routh travelled to Ukraine

Back in 2022, suspected Trump gunman Ryan Wesley Routh, below, 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.

'The people deserve the truth', says Florida governor

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, pictured with Trump below, has said on X that, “the State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club.”

He added: “The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee”.

'This is truly appalling', says Nigel Farage

British politician Nigel Farage says the attempt on Trump's life is "truly appalling".

The Reform MP for Clacton in Essex is well known as a supporter of Trump and travelled to America following the attempt on the life of the former president in Pennsylvania in July.

Farage had said he would spend part of this year campaigning for Trump in the US, before he was elected as an MP in July.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris react to Trump shooting

In a statement on X, Joe Biden says he commends the Secret Service following the assassination attempt on Trump.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris says on X that she is "glad" Trump is safe and that "violence has no place in America".

Trump is in ‘good spirits’

Trump is said to be in “good spirits” despite the incident.

It is reported the White House hopeful even joked about wishing he had finished a last round of golf.

Assassination bid 'could have been paid for by Ukraine', says top Russian security official

One of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies has claimed that the latest Donald Trump assassination bid could have been paid for by the Ukrainian government.

Dmitry Medvedev - former Russian president and now a top security official - posted in English on X: “I wonder what would happen if it turned out that the failed new Trump shooter Routh, who recruited mercenaries for the Ukrainian army, was himself hired by the neo-nazi regime in Kiev for this assassination attempt?”

Medvedev is currently deputy chairman of the Kremlin’s security council which Putin chairs.

What do we know about the alleged gunman?

CNN and CBS reported that Ryan Wesley Routh was a self-employed affordable housing builder in Hawaii who had an arrest record spanning decades and regularly posted on politics and current events, including sometimes criticizing Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.

One cause Routh expressed support for was Ukraine's fight against the invasion launched by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

"I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE... Can I be the example We must win," Routh said in an X post in March 2022, according to the New York Times, which also interviewed him.

UK home secretary 'glad former president is safe'

Britain' s home secretary said on Monday it was appalling to see political violence taking place and she was glad to see Donald Trump was safe following what the FBI called an apparent assassination attempt on the former US president.

"It's appalling to see political violence taking place. Violence should have no place in any political campaign," Yvette Cooper told Sky News.

"We're all glad that the former president is safe, and that this attempt, whatever it was that happened, was not successful."

Trump shooting attempt: what we know so far

Suspect tweeted about last Trump assassination bid

Ryan Wesley Routh 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."

Routh travelled to Ukraine

Back in 2022, suspected Trump gunman Ryan Wesley 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.

Suspect pictured

Suspected Trump gunman Ryan Wesley Routh is seen raising his hands above his head in a picture from his arrest.

Routh, 58, is a Florida resident who championed sending US arms and soldiers to Ukraine in the war against Russia.

He even travelled to the devastated country in 2022 and urged Americans to join him.

Routh was allegedly armed with an AK-47 when he was spotted at the edge of Trump's golf course.

Trump is in 'good spirits'

Trump is said to be in "good spirits" despite the incident.

It is reported the White House hopeful even joked about wishing he had finished a last round of golf.

Secret Service spotted rifle poking out fence

Secret Service agents shot at a would-be assassin after spotting a rifle poking through a fence.

An official had jumped "one hole ahead" of Trump to search the area on the golf course.

He then opened fire at the suspect after spotting the weapon.

Palm Beach County Sheriff said: "He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off."

Police said it was unclear whether the suspect, who was within 500 yards of Trump, had taken a shot.