Trump safe after apparent “assassination attempt” at West Palm Beach golf club, sources identify arrested man as Ryan Wesley Routh

WASHINGTON– The FBI is investigating a so-called “assassination attempt” on former President Donald Trump after Secret Service agents shot a man with an AK-47 rifle on or near Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

Multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News that the man arrested by Florida authorities in connection with the alleged attack has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh.

According to sources, Routh has ties to North Carolina and Hawaii.

Sources told ABC News that authorities are expected to file charges in the case in the next few days.

On Sunday evening, authorities were investigating whether Routh had any grievances related to Ukraine and, in particular, frustrations with Trump's stance on the issue, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

A spokesman for Trump's campaign team said Sunday afternoon after the incident that the former president was “safe.”

The incident occurred about two months after Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the gunman came within 300 to 500 yards of the former president when he was spotted, and agents fired four to six shots at him before he dropped the weapon and fled. It was not clear whether the suspect aimed his gun at Trump.

Multiple sources told ABC News that U.S. Secret Service agents shot the suspect after seeing his rifle through the fence.

Three cartridge cases believed to belong to the suspect's AK-47 were found at the crime scene, but sources said investigators are still investigating whether the suspect fired his weapon at the crime scene.

According to sources, investigators are also trying to determine whether the agent looked in the suspect's direction because shots were fired or because he saw the muzzle of the gun.

According to sources, Trump was immediately taken to a secure area on the golf course grounds after the shooting.

After Secret Service agents shot him, officials said the suspect got into a vehicle and witnesses provided the license plate number, which was tracked by authorities. The suspect was stopped and taken into custody.

Bradshaw said that in addition to an “AK-47 rifle,” two backpacks with a GoPro camera and ceramic tiles inside were found at the crime scene.

The sheriff said the golf course is not surrounded by police because Trump is not the sitting president. “If he was, we would have the entire golf course surrounded. But because he is not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service thinks are possible. So I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there will probably be a few more people around the property.”

But Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he had already had concerns about the Secret Service after the first assassination attempt on Trump and argued for moving the agency from the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security back to the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department, “where it would be more of a focus.”

A Republican who spoke to Trump shortly after the incident told ABC News that Trump said he was near the 5th hole of the Trump International Golf Course when he heard “popping noises” nearby. The source said Trump was in a “good mood.”

Sheriff Will Snyder of neighboring Martin County told ABC News that his units arrested a man following the incident. Snyder said after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, Secret Service and FBI issued a “look out” alert, one of his officers spotted the suspect vehicle heading north on Interstate 95 and other officers “forced it to stop without incident.”

Snyder said the vehicle matched the description in the bulletin, but “now we have to determine if this is indeed the correct suspect.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statement Sunday evening announcing that the state would conduct its own investigation into the assassination attempt on Trump.

“The people have a right to know the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 1,500 feet of the former president and current Republican candidate,” DeSantis wrote on X.

Trump was playing golf with longtime friend and donor Steve Witkoff when the shots were heard, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Shortly after the incident, Trump sent out a fundraising email saying he was fine and no one was hurt.

“But there are people in this world who would do anything to stop us,” he wrote.

In a subsequent fundraising email on Sunday evening, Trump wrote: “My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the “security incident at Trump International Golf Course,” the White House said in a statement on Sunday.

“They are relieved to know he is safe. Your team will keep you regularly updated,” the White House added.

Harris posted on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “I have been informed of reports that shots were fired near former President Trump and his Florida estate, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”

Harris' running mate Tim Walz wrote on X:

“Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It is not what defines us as a nation.”

After being informed of the incident, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement: “There is no place for political violence of any kind in this country.”

“The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Schumer added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was briefed on the situation, said he and his wife spent time with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after the incident.

“Kelly and I leave Mar-a-Lago where we just spent a few hours with President Trump and thank God for protecting him once again today,” he wrote on X.

Two of Trump's senior advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris Lacivita, urged his campaign staff to “remain vigilant” following the alleged assassination attempt.

“We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings,” said the memo sent to employees Sunday evening. “Be alert and remain aware of the situation at all times. We urge you to always follow the instructions of law enforcement, including the USSS, local police and the office's armed security forces.”

Full statement from President Joe Biden

I have been briefed by my team on the federal investigation into a possible assassination attempt on former President Trump. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the Secret Service and its law enforcement partners for their vigilance and efforts to protect the former President and those around him. I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. This incident is currently under investigation while law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities, and protections necessary to ensure the continued safety of the former President.

ABC News' Lalee Ibassa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.