Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Suspect Identified as Ryan Wesley Roth

American media have released the name of the suspect arrested in the shooting at a private resort of former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, said it appeared to be a “second assassination attempt.” Near a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that Secret Service agents spotted and shot an armed man in the woods near the golf course. They added that the gunman dropped an AK-47 assault rifle and fled in a car, but was arrested.

The New York Times and CNN reported that NBC News, citing law enforcement officials, identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Roth (age 58) of Hawaii.

Roth had previously traveled to Ukraine in 2022 to aid the war effort against the Russian invasion. He had also been to Washington, D.C., once to meet with politicians to bolster support for Ukraine.

According to public records, Roth lives in Kawah, Ohio and formerly lived in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said at a news conference that agents engaged the gunman and fired at least four magazines after the gun barrel was spotted 375 to 457 meters from Trump while clearing the area of a possible threat before Trump’s golf match.

The gunman then dropped his gun, two backpacks and other items and fled in a black Nissan. The police chief said a witness spotted the gunman and succeeded in taking pictures of his car and dashboard.

“The Secret Service did exactly what it was supposed to do,” Bradshaw continued.

After the suspect fled, law enforcement officials said they sent an alert to devices across the state with vehicle data, which led to sheriff’s deputies in neighboring Martin County successfully apprehending the suspect on I-95.