(NewsNation) — The FBI took a man with an AK-style rifle into custody in its investigation of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach in Florida.
Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder said the suspect was apprehended within minutes of the FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office putting out a “very urgent BOLO” — or “be on the lookout” alert” — detailing the specific vehicle sought, license plate number and occupant description.
Here is a timeline of events, according to authorities:
At approximately 1:30 p.m., authorities received a call reporting shots fired at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump was golfing there at the time of the incident and was roughly 400-700 yards away from the suspect, who was hidden in bushes near the course’s perimeter, officials revealed.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the U.S. Secret Service agents fired at a man pointing an AK-style rifle with a scope as Trump was on the course.
At about 1:30 p.m., Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, released a statement saying, “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”
The person reportedly dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV.
A witness informed police that the suspect fled the scene in a black Nissan. The witness managed to capture photos of the suspect’s license plate, which led to the arrest.
Just after 2 p.m., Snyder told WPTV his team located the vehicle following a “very urgent BOLO” alert detailing the specific vehicle sought, license plate number and occupant description.
Snyder said the suspect was apprehended within minutes of the BOLO alert.
Snyder said his deputies “immediately flooded” northbound I-95, deploying to every exit between the Palm Beach County line to the south and St. Lucie County line to the north.
A post by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office indicated the suspect was apprehended near Palm City, Florida, about a 45-mile drive north of Trump’s golf course.
“One of my road patrol units saw the vehicle, matched the tag and we set up on the vehicle,” Snyder said, “We pinched in on the car, got it safely stopped and got the driver in custody.”
By 3:55 p.m., the Secret Service and local police officials held a media briefing to provide the public with additional details of the incident.
Just after 5 p.m., a law enforcement source identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh.
The incident occurred roughly two months after the Republican presidential nominee was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
