The FBI is investigating what it called an “attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump after Secret Service agents fired at a man with an AK-47 rifle on or near Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, golf course on Sunday.
Multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News that the man detained by Florida authorities in relation to the potential assassination attempt has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58.
Routh is believed to have ties to North Carolina and Hawaii, sources said.
Authorities are expected to file charges in the matter in the coming days, sources told ABC News.
On Sunday night, authorities were looking into whether Routh had grievances related to Ukraine and specifically frustrations with Trump’s position on this issue, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Additionally, sources told ABC News that the FBI had begun a deep dive into Routh’s background, looking at his social media footprint, his travels and whether he had a criminal record. Friends, family and associates are being sought for interviews. Everything is being examined.
A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign earlier Sunday afternoon following the incident said the former president was “safe.”
The incident comes around two months after Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that the gunman got as close as 300 to 500 yards away from the former president when he was spotted, and agents fired four to six rounds at him before he dropped the gun and fled. It was not clear if the suspect was aiming his weapon at Trump.
U.S. Secret Service agents fired at the suspect after seeing his rifle through the fence line, multiple sources told ABC News.
After being shot at by Secret Service agents, officials said that the suspect got into a vehicle, and witnesses reported the license plate number, which was tracked by authorities. Bradshaw said that the suspect was stopped and taken into custody.
He also said that along with an “AK-47-style rifle,” two backpacks were found at the scene with a GoPro camera and ceramic tiles inside.
