Donald Trump apparent assassination attempt: What do we know so far?
By James Gray, ITV News Producer
The suspect at the centre of an apparent assassination attempt targeted at Donald Trump was at the scene for more than 12 hours before the Secret Service spotted him, US authorities have said.
The 78-year-old former president was playing a round of golf at one of his Florida courses when Sunday's incident took place.
Appearing in federal court on Monday, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh's mobile phone data indicates he may have spent nearly 12 hours on Sunday near the area where he was spotted in the bushes along the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club, according to charging documents unsealed on Monday.
Trump narrowly avoided death earlier this year when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally, injuring the Republican US presidential candidate.
What do we know about the latest incident? ITV News explains.
Where did the incident take place?
The apparent attempt on Trump's life took place on Sunday, September 15, at the Trump International Golf Club - which the former president owns - in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He typically spends his Sunday mornings playing a round of golf.
How did everything unfold?
Trump was playing on the course's fifth hole with his golf partner, Steve Witkoff, when US Secret Service agents took action, according to Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Mr Hannity said he had spoken to Mr Witkoff after the incident.
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Secret Service agents stationed several holes ahead of Trump noticed the muzzle of an SKS rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course.
Law enforcement officials said Trump came within 500 yards of the gunman.
An agent fired and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera, authorities said.
Trump was pounced on "within seconds" by Secret Service agents, who "covered him", Mr Hannity added.
Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe praised the work of his agents for spotting the suspect before he had a line of sight on Trump.
Rowe said the golf trip wasn’t on Trump’s schedule so they put together a security plan quickly "and that security plan worked out."
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, speaking alongside Rowe, said the suspect: "Didn’t even get close to getting a round-off."
After being shot at by the Secret Service the suspect dropped his weapon and fled the scene in an SUV. Police said a suspect was stopped 45 minutes later about 45 miles north of the golf course.
Authorities said the Nissan SUV had a 2012 license plate registered to a Ford truck that had been reported stolen.
On Sunday evening, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a statement, describing the incident as what "appears to be an attempted assassination".
Who is the alleged gunman?
Authorities said they arrested 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, of Kaaawa, Hawaii, minutes after the FBI and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office issued a "very urgent BOLO" - be-on-the-lookout alert - to the public.
The alert detailed the specific vehicle sought, licence plate number and description of the driver.
Routh was calm and showed little emotion when he was arrested, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
"He never asked, 'What is this about?' Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it," Sheriff Snyder said.
Records show Routh lived in North Carolina for most of his life before moving to Hawaii in 2018.
Two years later, he made a social media post backing Trump's re-election, but in more recent years his posts have expressed support for US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Routh tried to recruit Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine, and spent several months in the country, according to an interview with The New York Times last year.
During the eight-minute court appearance, Routh spoke to give basic details about his life, saying he earned $3,000 (£2,270) a month but had no savings.
He also said he had no assets except for two trucks he owned in Hawaii and he had a 25-year-old son he occasionally supported.
The FBI, revealed Routh had numerous previous convictions for theft, carrying firearms illegally and a 2002 conviction for possessing a "weapon of mass destruction."
Most of the crimes were committed in his former home of North Carolina.
The FBI also revealed they investigated Routh in 2019 after someone tipped them off he was illegally possessing a gun.
The FBI interviewed the tipster, who did not verify the initial information and then passed it to law enforcement in Hawaii.
What has Trump said?
Trump, in an email to supporters on Sunday evening, said: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!"
He added: "Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!"
Trump later shared a post on social media in which he thanked the Secret Service and local law enforcement for keeping him safe, calling them "brave and dedicated Patriots".
How have Biden and Harris reacted?
Both Biden and Harris were briefed on the matter and each issued a statement condemning political violence.
Harris said she was "deeply disturbed" by the day's events and that "we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence".
Biden said he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service "has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president's continued safety".
Could this impact Trump's campaign?
Currently, it is unclear how this could affect Trump's immediate campaign plans.
The former president was due to make a live cryptocurrency speech on social media platform X on Monday, and had visits planned for Tuesday and Wednesday in Michigan and New York's Long Island respectively.
The presidential election will take place on Tuesday, November 5.
What security measures were in place for Trump?
The Trump International Golf Club was partially shut down for Trump as he played, but there are several areas around the perimeter of the course where golfers are visible from the fence line.
Secret Service agents and officers in vehicles - including golf carts and ATVs - generally secure the area several holes ahead and behind Trump.
Agents also usually bring an armoured vehicle onto the course to shelter Trump quickly should a security threat arise.
Former presidents and their spouses have Secret Service protection for life, but the security around them varies according to threat levels and exposure.
Trump's protective detail has been higher than some former presidents because of his high visibility and campaign to seek re-election.
He has had heightened security since an assassination attempt on his life earlier this year, when a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump suffered an injury to his right ear during the incident.
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