Here's the latest on what we know about the investigation into the apparent attempted assassination of Trump
Law enforcement officials are working to learn more about the suspect in the apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the acting Director of the Secret Service Ronald Rowe Jr. on Monday defended the level of security provided for the former president, as the second apparent assassination attempt raised new questions about whether the Secret Service can adequately protect Trump.
What we know about what happened:
- The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
- A Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a rifle poking from the fence between holes five and six of Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, Florida, while the former president was playing.
- Cell phone data indicates the suspect may have spent nearly 12 hours on Sunday near the area where he was spotted, according to charging documents unsealed on Monday.
- Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the agent fired at the gunman, who officials said was within 500 yards of Trump. Bradshaw said no shots were fired by the suspect. The Secret Service also said the person had no line of sight on the former president.
- The suspect fled the scene in a car and was spotted by a witness. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office later pulled over the vehicle and detained the person. The witness was able to then identify the man.
Where the investigation stands:
- The FBI is working to learn more about the suspect’s background and whether he acted alone, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office said. Agents have interviewed witnesses at the scene and are planning to talk to the suspect’s family and friends.
- The agency is working with its partners to pursue search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle, cell phone and other devices, Veltri said. He also said the suspect had an “active online presence” and that the FBI is going through all of the posts and online search history. The suspect had criticized Trump on social media and is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
- Officials found a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope, in which the serial number was obliterated, and a black plastic bag containing food in the area, Markenzy Lapointe, US attorney, for the Southern District of Florida said.
- Attorney General Merrick Garland promised in a Monday statement to use “every available resource” in the investigation into the apparent attempted assassination.
Charges announced today:
- Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect, has been charged with two counts, including possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN there could be additional charges.
- Routh made his initial court appearance Monday morning at a federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida. A detention hearing is set for next Monday and he will remain in jail while awaiting trial.
- The suspect has an extensive criminal history in North Carolina, records show. In 2002, he was charged with and later pleaded guilty to felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction, among other charges, including resisting an officer, carrying a concealed weapon and ID card fraud.
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