New details continue to arise with the FBI’s ongoing investigation into the second apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
This incident on Sunday comes just nine weeks after the July assassination attempt of the former president.
Below is a timeline detailing how the events unfolded.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Approximately 1:59 a.m. Suspect’s phone appears near the scene
Phone records indicate that suspect Ryan Wesley Routh’s mobile device was located in the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Club tree line in West Palm Beach, Florida, from approximately 1:59 a.m. to approximately 1:31 p.m., according to the criminal complaint.
Approximately 1:31 p.m., Secret Service spots a rifle and fires shots
A Secret Service Special Agent was walking the perimeter of the golf club before spotting a rifle poking out of the tree line at 1:31 p.m., and the Secret Service fired 4-6 rounds of shots before the suspect fled, officials said. Trump had been “moving through the fifth fairway” and the alleged gunman was near the sixth green, according to acting Secret Service Director Ron Rowe Jr. Officials confirmed that there were about 300-500 yards between Trump and the suspect. Rowe added that the suspect did not fire, and Trump’s whereabouts were not publicly available on his official schedule.
Approximately 2:14 p.m., suspect stopped, detained
A witness told officials they saw someone jump out of the bushes and provided the suspect’s vehicle information. Authorities then located the suspect’s vehicle traveling northbound on I-95, and Martin County units initiated a motor vehicle stop at around 2:14 p.m., the complaint said. The suspect was handcuffed outside the vehicle, and the witness was flown to the scene to positively identify the suspect, according to Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
Just before 2:40 p.m., Trump spokesperson confirms he is safe
Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director, confirmed that Trump was safe “following gunshots in his vicinity.”
Just before 3:30 p.m., the White House confirms awareness
The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had both been briefed on the incident and they are “relieved to know that [Trump] is safe.”
3:42 p.m. Harris extends her support
On X, Harris said she was “glad” Trump is safe and that “violence has no place in America.”
3:57 p.m. Trump confirms his well-being
In a Trump campaign fundraising email, Trump said he was safe, in addition to promising that “nothing will slow [him] down” and that he “will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Approximately 4:09 p.m., Trump’s motorcade heads toward Mar-a-Lago
Trump’s motorcade was seen traveling toward Mar-a-Lago, per the pool camera.
Around 4:40 p.m., incident is confirmed to be investigated as an assassination attempt
The FBI released a statement confirming it was “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
At 5 p.m., authorities release photos from the scene
During a 5 p.m. press conference, officials released photos of the suspect’s equipment. They said he had a loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope, two backpacks, one with a ceramic tile and a GoPro camera. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw initially described the weapon found in the tree line as an AK-47-style rifle.
5:21 p.m. Vance sends a prayer of gratitude
Sen. JD Vance revealed on X that he spoke to Trump before the news was public, who he said was “amazingly, in good spirits.” He added that he will be sending a prayer of gratitude.
5:51 p.m. Walz emphasizes Harris’ support
After previously reposting Harris’ tweet, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released his own X statement that read, “Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation.”
Around 6:30 p.m., lawmakers request a briefing with U.S. Secret Service
Reps. Mike Kelly and Jason Crow, who are among the lawmakers investigating the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump, confirm they’ve requested a briefing with the U.S. Secret Service to learn the details of the incident and how the response played out.
Just before 6:40 p.m., Trump reiterates his resolve
In another fundraising email, Trump said his “resolve is only stronger after another attempt on [his] life.”
Around 10 p.m., ABC News obtains suspect’s name
Sources identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58. Routh has a lengthy rap sheet, including a 2002 conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction, as well as many social media profiles currently under investigation.
Monday, Sept. 16
1:41 a.m. Elon Musk posts now-deleted controversial Biden-Harris administration tweet
In a since-deleted tweet, Elon Musk wrote, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Harris.” In a statement later on Monday, the White House said Musk’s rhetoric is “irresponsible” and that violence should “never be encouraged or joked about.”
Approximately 8:52 a.m., acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. arrives to meet Trump
Acting director of the Secret Service Ronald Rowe Jr. arrived at Trump International Golf Club, as seen by the pool camera, where he was expected to meet with Trump and brief the former president on the assassination attempt.
Approximately 9:21 a.m., Biden says Secret Service ‘needs more help’
Biden told reporters, “the [Secret] Service needs more help and I think the Congress should respond to their needs, if in fact, they need more servicemen.” Later on Monday, Biden added, “I’ve always condemned political violence, and I always will.”Trump blames incident on Biden-Harris ‘rhetoric’
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the suspect “believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it” and that “their rhetoric is causing [him] to be shot at.”
Around 10:36 a.m., suspect appears in federal court, charges filed
Routh appeared in a federal court in West Palm Beach Monday and was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to the complaint. These charges are believed to be the first step by federal prosecutors in the initial investigation stages. He has yet to enter a plea.
Around 11:26 a.m., suspect leaves the federal courthouse
Routh departed the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach in a van. His pretrial detention is scheduled for next Monday, and his arraignment is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 30.
Just after 4 p.m., officials confirm suspect has not spoken
During a 4 p.m. news conference, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office said the suspect has invoked his right to an attorney during FBI interviews. Officials plan to investigate his “active online presence” and more. As far as the FBI knows, the suspect acted alone, Veltri said.