Arizona law enforcement is on the lookout for a suspect who threatened to assassinate Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump at a speaking event at the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday. Trump attended the scheduled event despite the threat to discuss his border security and policy priorities if re-elected in November.
Manhunt Underway for Ronald Lee Syvrud
Authorities have initiated a manhunt for Ronald Lee Syvrud, age 66, who is already wanted on other warrants, including a DUI and failure to appear for a court hearing in Wisconsin, as well as failure to register as a sex offender in Arizona and a felony hit and run incident.
Syvrud’s Criminal History Raises Concerns
Syvrud’s criminal background makes his alleged plot to assassinate Trump this week in Cochise County an especially credible threat.
Heightened Security Measures After Recent Incident
Security for the former President is on high alert as a shooter executed a failed assassination attempt on Trump merely six weeks ago at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Cochise County Sheriff’s Department Responds
Cochise Country Sheriff’s Department operated with all hands on deck before the Republican candidate visited a vulnerable stretch of the country’s southern border. Sherif Mark Dannels says the department has increased security “based on the threats made” and the fact that the political event will occur “in an open venue.”
Syvrud’s Background and Current Status
Syvrud last lived in Benson, Arizona, and registered as a Democrat. He has a long criminal history going back to 1990. Syvrud is six feet tall, weighs 220 pounds, and wears glasses.
Details on the Assassination Plot Discovery
Sheriff Dannels told DailyMail.com that the assassination plot was discovered “off social media,” but Dannels did not elaborate.
Sheriff Dannels’ Commitment to Apprehend Syvrud
Dannels said, “We have zero tolerance for any kind of threats of intents of violence, so we’ll find him. He’ll go to jail. He’s a registered sex offender here in Cochise County, and we’re looking for him. He’s out of compliance as part of his violations. So we’re looking for him on that.”
Authorities’ Focus on Event Security
Dannels continued, “We’re going to arrest him on that. But also the fact that his pulse was directed toward this event. So we want to talk to him about that.”
Secret Service Involvement in Security
In addition to local law enforcement securing Trump’s safety at the campaign event, the Secret Service also primarily ensures Trump’s safety.
Secret Service Snipers Deployed
An advance team of Secret Service snipers is already in place in Cochise County to conduct a safety review of the area.
Area’s Security Challenges Highlighted
The same area where Trump is set to visit, Sierra Vista in Cochise County, was also the site for running mate JD Vance’s trip to the border several weeks ago. Vance called the vulnerable border region a “smuggler’s paradise.”
Terrain Challenges and Security Risks
The Sierra Vista area of the border includes many vulnerable areas for smugglers to avoid detection through mountainous and treacherous terrain. Due to its elevation, it also includes vantage points, which could prove dangerous for a potential shooter such as Syvrud.
Manhunt Efforts Near the Border
Arizona officials believe Syvrud is near the border region in question and have been running a large-scale manhunt to apprehend him before the political event. While he was not taken into custody before Trump spoke in Arizona, law enforcement officials are still looking for the fugitive.
