WASHINGTON — 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.
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 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.
Three shell casings were found on the scene, believed to be associated with the suspect’s AK-47. However, sources said investigators are still evaluating whether the suspect discharged his weapon at the location.
Investigators are also working to determine if the agent was looking in the suspect’s direction because shots were fired or if it was because he saw the barrel of the gun, according to sources.
Following the shots fired, sources said Trump was immediately rushed to a safe area on the grounds of the golf course.
After being shot at by Secret Service agents, officials said the suspect got into a vehicle and witnesses reported the license plate number, which was tracked by authorities. The suspect was stopped and taken into custody.
Bradshaw said along with an “AK-47-style rifle,” two backpacks were found at the scene with a GoPro camera and ceramic tiles inside.
The sheriff said the golf course was not surrounded by law enforcement because Trump is not the sitting president. “If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded. But because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter.”
But Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he already had concerns about the Secret Service after the first assassination attempt against Trump and advocated moving the agency from under the Department of Homeland Security and back under the Treasury Department, “where it had more focus.”
A Republican who spoke with Trump shortly after the incident told ABC News that Trump said he was near the 5th hole of the Trump International golf course when he heard “popping sounds” in the vicinity. The source said Trump was in “good spirits.”
Sheriff Will Snyder of neighboring Martin County told ABC News that his units detained a man following the incident. Snyder said after the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, the Secret Service and the FBI put out a “Be on the lookout for” alert, one of his officers saw the suspect vehicle northbound on Interstate 95 and other officers “forced it to a stop without incident.”
Snyder said the vehicle matched the description in the bulletin but “now we have to determine if this, in fact, was the right suspect.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a statement Sunday evening saying the state will conduct its own investigation into the assassination attempt against Trump.
“The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” DeSantis wrote on X.
Trump was golfing with his longtime friend and donor Steve Witkoff at the time gunshots were heard, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Shortly after the incident, Trump sent a fundraising email saying that he was safe and well and that no one was hurt.
“But, there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us,” he wrote.
In a follow-up fundraising email Sunday evening, Trump wrote, “My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the “security incident at the Trump International Golf Course,” the White House said in a statement Sunday.
“They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the White House added.
Harris posted on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
After being briefed on the incident, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement, “There is no place in this country for political violence of any kind.”
“The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Schumer added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was briefed on the situation, said he and his wife spent time with Trump at Mar-a-Lago Sunday after the incident.
“Kelly and I are departing Mar-a-Lago, where we just spent a few hours with President Trump and are thanking God for protecting him today-once again,” he wrote on X.
Two of Trump’s senior advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris Lacivita, told campaign staffers to stay “remain vigilant” following the apparent attempted assassination attempt.
“We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings,” the note sent to staff on Sunday night read. “Be observant and maintain a constant level of situational awareness. We urge you to always follow direction from law enforcement, including USSS, local police, and office armed security guards.”
Full statement from President Joe Biden
I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe. I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.
ABC News’ Lalee Ibassa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
