Suspect did not fire a shot

Secret Service responded quickly

Attempted Trump assassination: Suspect did not fire a shot

The man who allegedly wanted to carry out an attack on Donald Trump did not get around to firing a shot. From the contents of his backpack, he was probably prepared for a shootout.

After the assassination attempt against US presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida, more and more details about how the foiled act took place are becoming public. The man, believed to be 58-year-old Ryan Routh, did not fire a shot himself. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told US broadcaster Fox News when asked. This was because the Secret Service acted so promptly, explained Bradshaw and attested to the bodyguards' “fantastic approach.”

According to US authorities, the 58-year-old, armed with a rifle, hid in the bushes for twelve hours on Sunday on the edge of Trump's golf course in Palm Beach while the ex-president played golf there. Secret Service officers spotted the intruder and opened fire. He initially managed to escape in a car, but a short time later he was arrested near the crime scene.

Bradshaw also told Fox News that an investigation is currently underway to determine exactly where the officers' bullets hit. It also needs to be determined where the suspect's weapon came from. According to the sheriff, ceramic tiles were also found in the man's backpacks at the scene. “I think it was an attempt to give himself some kind of protective armor in case someone shot him,” Bradshaw said. Routh's motive is still unclear. According to the sheriff, he has remained silent so far.

In the meantime, the US justice system in Florida has initiated proceedings against the arrested suspect for illegal possession of weapons. Routh was charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a criminal with a criminal record during his first hearing before a federal judge on Monday. He is also accused of having an illegible serial number on the weapon.

Routh is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. During the brief court hearing, he answered yes to a few questions but otherwise remained quiet. According to US media reports, he has a criminal record for other crimes.

The US federal police are investigating an “attempted assassination attempt”. The suspect had positioned himself a few hundred meters away from Trump, which local sheriff Ric Bradshaw said was “not a great distance” with a rifle and scope. After the incident, questions were raised as to how the suspect was initially able to remain within sight of the ex-president without hindrance.