Gunman lurked for hours before Trump's last-minute game of golf

In a shocking incident, a man was found hiding in the bushes for nearly 12 hours before Donald Trump unexpectedly arrived to play golf at his oceanfront club in Florida. This event has left many locals in disbelief, as it marks the second assassination attempt on the former president within just two months. On a hot and cloudy Sunday afternoon, Trump, accompanied by his close friend and real estate developer Steve Witkoff, made his way to the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. While Trump was on the fifth fairway at approximately 1:31 PM EDT, a member of his security detail noticed a rifle protruding from the foliage near the sixth hole. Fortunately, Trump was evacuated without injury. He later recounted during a live-streamed event that he heard 'probably four or five' shots fired in the distance. The suspect, identified as Ryan Routh, had been concealed by the well-maintained shrubbery and tall palm trees surrounding the 27-hole course. Federal investigators reported that a quick-thinking Secret Service agent fired in the direction of Routh, who was positioned about 300 to 500 yards away and lacked a clear line of sight to Trump. Trump expressed gratitude for the agent's swift actions, stating, 'Secret Service knew immediately it was bullets, and they grabbed me. ' The gunman, who did not fire any shots, had been lurking on the public side of a fence since 1:59 AM local time on Sunday morning, according to mobile phone records cited by federal officials. Routh was equipped with two digital cameras, a black plastic bag filled with food, an SKS-style semi-automatic rifle, and a scope to enhance its range. The former president's last scheduled campaign event had taken place the previous evening in Utah. Residents noted that Trump typically spends almost every Sunday at the West Palm Beach golf club when he is not on the campaign trail. However, Secret Service director Ronald Rowe stated on Monday that Trump was 'not even really supposed to go there,' prompting agents to devise a security plan at the last minute. The foiled plot has raised numerous questions among Trump’s neighbors in Palm Beach. They wondered whether the suspect had prior knowledge of Trump’s golf plans or if it was merely a coincidence. Many were astonished that Routh could remain undetected for such an extended period while hiding with a rifle. After the incident, Routh fled the scene in a black Nissan, abandoning his backpack and weapon. A civilian woman managed to capture a photo of his license plate and provided it to investigators. Trump mentioned that Routh was apprehended about 40 minutes later when officers pulled over his vehicle on Interstate 95. Bodycam footage revealed that Routh appeared calm as officers ordered him to step aside before handcuffing him without incident. On Monday, Routh, 58, appeared in a crowded Palm Beach court, dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit and smiling while conversing with his attorney. He faced charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional charges may follow. Routh, a resident of Hawaii with a criminal history, had previously come to the FBI's attention in 2019 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The bureau had alerted law enforcement in Honolulu at that time. While the motive behind Routh's alleged plan to target Trump remains unclear, he had expressed on social media in the past that he voted for the Republican candidate in 2016 but later became disillusioned with him. On the perimeter of Trump’s golf course, bright orange cones, barricades, police cars, and officers were deployed to secure the area. The incident has left the community in shock. Shelby Stevens, a 52-year-old Trump supporter from West Palm Beach, remarked, 'No matter how much security you have and everything else, if someone is willing to give their life to take someone else’s, it can happen. ' Cosme Blanco, a 61-year-old Trump supporter who has lived nearby for most of his life, expressed concern, stating, 'I’m going to be 62 years old and I’ve never seen America change this much. ' He noted that it would not be difficult for someone to target Trump at his golf course, especially since the former president travels in a motorcade that takes about 12 minutes to reach the club. 'If they see the motorcade coming, I’m sure at that point they know he’s going to play golf - it’s common sense,' Blanco added. Anka Palitz, a Palm Beach resident who claims to have known Trump personally for years, found Routh’s timing suspicious. 'He doesn’t play golf every Sunday,' she said, suggesting that there might be a conspiracy at play. 'How was he [the gunman] not seen? ' she questioned. Palitz, who used to ski with Trump’s ex-wife, Ivana, believed someone must have tipped off Routh about Trump’s visit that day. Patricia Pelham, a UK native living in Florida for 30 years, raised concerns about how Routh managed to park his car close enough for a quick getaway. 'How come there’s not security around the outside? ' she asked, adding that she was not a Trump supporter. Following the first assassination attempt on Trump in July, security measures around Mar-a-Lago have intensified. On Monday, police cars lined the roads nearly every half mile, and the 17-acre resort was closed to visitors. Authorities indicated that had Trump been the sitting president, the golf course would have been surrounded by security. After blaming the rhetoric from the White House for the latest assassination attempt, Trump stated on Monday night that he had a 'very nice call' with President Joe Biden regarding enhancing Secret Service protection. President Biden, a Democrat, requested Congress to approve additional funding for the agency in the coming weeks, emphasizing that the Secret Service 'needs more help. ' Michael Matranga, a former Secret Service agent who worked for former President Barack Obama, noted that Trump has received better security than many other former presidents, who typically have less protection than current presidents. For instance, he mentioned that former presidents are not usually provided with counter-sniper teams like Trump has. The Secret Service has faced significant scrutiny since the first attempt on Trump’s life, leading to the resignation of the agency's leader, Kimberly Cheatle, less than two weeks after the rally. Agency officials have acknowledged that the Secret Service is lacking resources. Even with the additional resources, Matranga explained that agents must navigate the delicate balance of protecting Trump while allowing him to engage with constituents on the campaign trail and enjoy his golf games. They cannot simply 'keep him in a bulletproof box,' Matranga stated, nor does Trump seem to desire such confinement. In a fundraising email sent on Monday afternoon, Trump declared, 'My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life! ' This statement reflects his determination to continue engaging with the public and not show fear. Shelby Stevens believes that Trump will maintain a strong presence as he seeks support from voters in the lead-up to the general election in November.