West Palm Beach, United States - September 15, 2024

Authorities have released body camera footage capturing the tense moments of the apprehension of Ryan Wesley Routh, following an incident that has been labeled an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump. The footage, which has been circulating online, shows Routh being arrested after an eventful sequence that unfolded at Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach on September 15.

According to officials, Routh did not manage to fire any shots at Trump nor did he have a direct visual on the former President during the setup of his assassination attempt. U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe clarified that there was no indication Routh knew of Trump's presence on the course beforehand, suggesting the attempt was not initially planned for that day.

Routh had positioned himself in a public area near the sixth hole, obscured from direct view, and waited for approximately 12 hours. The situation escalated when a Secret Service agent spotted what he believed to be the barrel of an AK-47, prompting immediate action. The agent fired towards the perceived threat, which led Routh to flee the scene.

The dramatic escape was short-lived, however, as a civilian, alerted by the unusual behavior, photographed Routh's vehicle and license plate, aiding law enforcement in quickly tracking him down. Routh was apprehended not long after on Interstate 95 in Martin County, as captured in the now-publicized body cam footage.