Authorities have released footage of the arrest of Ryan Wesley Routh, the 58-year-old suspect accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump while he was playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The footage shows Routh walking backwards with his arms raised, shirt lifted, and his sunglasses on, as local law enforcement officers instructed him to keep walking before swiftly moving in to cuff him on a highway in West Palm Beach.

Routh was arrested on Sunday after allegedly attempting to shoot Trump at the Trump International Golf Club.

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He was charged in a Florida federal court on Monday with two firearms charges: possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

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More charges are expected as the investigation continues.

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Routh was found with an AK-47 rifle, two backpacks, bullet-deflecting ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera, according to law enforcement.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Secret Service agents spotted Routh with the rifle through a fence while Trump was on the fifth hole of the golf course.

The agents immediately fired at Routh, prompting him to flee in a black Nissan. He was later apprehended by Martin County Sheriff’s deputies on Interstate 95 in neighboring Martin County.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder described Routh’s demeanor during the arrest as “detached” and “oddly calm.” Snyder noted that despite the helicopters, police lights, and the chaos surrounding the arrest, Routh did not question why he was being pulled over. “He had a very, very kind of detached, flat face,” Snyder said. “So I felt like it wasn’t bothering him.”


The incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in just over two months. In July, another would-be assassin shot Trump in the right ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

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Trump, who was unharmed in both incidents, praised the quick actions of the Secret Service and law enforcement officers involved in thwarting the latest attack.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw held a press conference following the arrest, where he provided further details about the incident.

Bradshaw explained that a Secret Service agent, walking a hole ahead of Trump’s group, saw Routh’s rifle through the shrubbery and immediately took action.

Routh was positioned between 300 and 500 yards from the former president.

Sheriff Snyder emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “I think every American with common sense recognizes no matter where you are on the political spectrum, this is completely appalling. I mean, it’s horrific. Here you have the past president of the United States, a contender for being the next president of the United States. And the guy’s out golfing. What the heck? He was out golfing. He’s not even on the campaign.”

Snyder also questioned how someone could get so close to the former president with a tactical rifle, saying, “How does a guy get to a fence with a tactical rifle and a sighting on it on a golf course where the former president of the United States is golfing? I find it appalling and, unfortunately, I think it’s a commentary on the state of affairs in America.”

Trump, who was swiftly escorted back to the clubhouse in a golf cart at the sound of gunfire, reassured his supporters that he was safe and well. In a fundraising email sent shortly after the incident, Trump addressed the situation directly, stating, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”

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The former president also vowed that nothing would deter him from his campaign, adding, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.”

This latest assassination attempt has raised questions about security measures around Trump, especially given his role as a leading candidate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

Sheriff Snyder praised the efforts of local law enforcement and the Secret Service, saying, “I think the men and women in law enforcement down in Palm Beach County did everything they could to keep President Trump safe. And I would suspect that they will now redouble their efforts and do even more in the future.”

Authorities are continuing to investigate how Routh was able to get so close to the former president with a firearm and whether there are any additional individuals involved in the plot.

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The FBI and Secret Service are working together to gather more information about Routh’s background, motive, and potential connections.

In the meantime, Trump has continued to campaign and assure supporters that he remains focused on his bid for the White House.

Despite the attempts on his life, Trump has maintained a strong following among his supporters, who view these incidents as further evidence of the political challenges and threats he faces.

As investigations proceed, security around Trump is expected to increase, particularly as he remains a prominent figure in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Law enforcement officials will continue to assess potential risks to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.

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