The FBI released a statement on Sunday confirming its investigation into "what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump." The would-be assassin was arrested after a high-speed chase. 

The incident occurred at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Former President Trump was golfing with friends around 2 p.m., according to authorities.

Armed Would-be Assassin

Officials reported that a man pushed the barrel of a rifle through the perimeter fence of the golf course. Secret Service agents quickly spotted the weapon and opened fire on the suspect, who then fled the scene. 

It was later reported that the suspect had been “camped out” in some bushes for 17 hours.

The weapon, an AK-47 rifle, was recovered, along with a black backpack, a bag containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera.

An alert bystander’s photograph of the suspect’s vehicle, a black Nissan, allowed authorities to trace the car to Martin County.

 The suspect was later identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh, according to David Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County.

Who is Suspect Ryan Routh?

Initially, authorities withheld details about the would-be assassin.

Ryan Routh had however left behind numerous social media posts and had previously conducted media interviews. His actions seemed to be influenced, at least in part, by his vocal support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

He has traveled to Ukraine on several occasions and was said to be recruiting Americans to fight in the war.

“He’s someone who obviously has some issues,” Aronberg stated. "Normal people don’t commit crimes like this."

Public records indicate that a man named Ryan Routh, fitting the suspect’s description, lived in Hawaii.

However, voter records also show him as a longtime resident of North Carolina. He was a registered Democrat and had cast ballots in previous elections but did not vote in the 2016 election when Trump first ran for president.

Routh, a builder and entrepreneur, had claimed in several interviews that he worked to recruit soldiers for foreign wars.

Calls to his listed phone number received the voicemail claiming, "Ryan’s in Hawaii, working with the "National Volunteer Center, sending soldiers to Ukraine, as well as Taiwan." 

The voicemail also urges callers to message him through WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram or Facebook.