A gunman was able to approach Donald Trump at his Florida golf course because he does not have the same security detail as a sitting president, officials said.
The suspected killer allegedly pointed an AK-47 at the former president as he played at the Trump International golf course in West Palm Beach on Sunday shortly after 1 p.m.
Police have identified Ryan Wesley Routh, a registered Democrat, as the suspect who is now in custody.
Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters at a news conference that the Secret Service had “limited” ability to protect Trump on the golf course.
“The golf course is surrounded by bushes, so when someone walks through the bushes, they can’t see them, and at the level he’s at right now, he’s not the sitting president,” Bradshaw said.
A gunman carrying an AK-47 managed to get within 300 to 500 metres of Donald Trump as he played golf in West Palm Beach on Sunday.
Ryan Wesley Routh (pictured), a registered Democrat, has been identified by police as the suspect who is now in custody.
The suspect was able to get within 300 to 500 yards of Trump and was positioned outside the club around the 5th and 6th holes.
“If it were, we would have surrounded the entire golf course. But since it is not, security is limited to the areas the Secret Service deems possible.
“So I imagine the next time I come to the golf course, there will probably be a few more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Special Agent Rafael Barros explained at Sunday’s news conference that the Secret Service moves with Trump and is usually inspecting a hole or two ahead of him when he goes out to play a round of golf.
Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach is located near three busy roads: Kirk Road, Summit Boulevard and Congress Avenue, and is close to Palm Beach International Airport.
Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw (pictured) said the Secret Service had “limited” ability to protect Trump on the golf course because he is not the sitting president.
The images revealed the backpack, GoPro camera and AK-47-style rifle that the gunman left behind.
Trump could often be seen from across Kirk Road when he played golf during his presidency, however, members of the media were not allowed on nearby sidewalks when he played, it was reported. CNN.
Some of the restrictions were lifted after he left office and members of the public can have a clear view of Trump from the sidewalks of Summit Boulevard and Congress Avenue.
The footage revealed the backpack, GoPro camera and AK-47-style rifle the gunman left behind as he fled the scene.
Authorities said U.S. Secret Service agents spotted a rifle barrel sticking out of bushes two holes in front of where Trump was playing golf on Sunday, prompting agents to fire at the suspect.
Thomas Matthew Crooks (pictured) opened fire on the former president in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Trump was shot in the ear during the assassination attempt
The suspect managed to get within 300 to 500 yards of Trump and was stationed outside the club around the 5th and 6th holes, which were confirmed to be the most “vulnerable” areas of the course because it is the closest to the road.
The incident comes as Trump’s security detail has been beefed up in the two months since the former president was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the former president with the AR-style rifle he received from his father.
The suspected killer was seen by witnesses before the shooting and the Secret Service and law enforcement were alerted to his presence.