Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News
Good afternoon. For quick introduction, my name is Jeffrey Veltri, and I am the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
The FBI immediately responded to the scene here in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we are investigating this matter as an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump.
We view this as extremely serious and are determined to provide answers as to what led up to the events that took place.
I want to emphasize we are just a little over 24 hours into this investigation, so we are going to provide as much as we can publicly while our investigation is ongoing. We must also stress the U.S. attorney’s office is pursuing charges, and that limits some details we can publicly disclose.
Arrest
Yesterday afternoon, Martin County Sheriff’s Office took custody of Ryan Routh, and he was transported back to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Our FBI agents then attempted to interview him, and he invoked his right to an attorney.
FBI’s law enforcement activities
In the last 24 hours, the FBI and our partners have been dedicated to investigating the incident and utilizing all available resources. These efforts have included:
- DOJ and USAO engagement: Our investigative team and the USAO’s for the Southern District of Florida and DOJ’s National Security Division are actively working hand-in-hand to pursue and subsequently execute several warrants. Thus far, the warrants include a video recording device, subject’s cellular devices, vehicle, and other electronic devices located at previous known residences.
- Interviews: We are coordinating with United States Secret Service to complete the interviews of numerous agents. We have also interviewed seven civilian witnesses at the scene. That is just the beginning. FBI’s Honolulu and Charlotte Field Offices have initiated the interviews of several family members, friends, and former colleagues of the subject.
- FBI deployed several specialty teams and assets from FBI Headquarters and Quantico’s Lab Division, to include evidence and critical incident response personnel.
- Evidence Response Team is collecting and processing multiple evidentiary items. These range from the rifle—which is a SKS model with a scope and obliterated serial numbers—two bags, the subject’s electronics, and what appears to be ceramic tiles. DNA has also been collected from those items, which are being sent to Quantico for testing. We will also process Routh’s vehicle for evidence.
- Cellular Analysis Survey Team conducted thorough analysis of the subject’s cellular device’s location. The CAST analysis aligns with the witness’ account of the subject’s presence at the scene both before and around the time of the incident on September 15. More specifically, we are continuing to conduct analysis and will be compiling the subject’s movements in the days and months leading up to September 15. Cellular data shows the subject was in the vicinity of the golf course roughly 12 hours before the engagement with the U.S Secret Service.
- Our investigative teams conducted a neighborhood canvas in an effort to collect and obtain relevant video footage.
- The subject had an active online presence, and we are going through what he posted and any searches conducted online. In addition, we are going through media reports and public statements he made that he wanted to recruit Afghan soldiers and others to fight for Ukraine.
- The FBI has sent multiple requests to companies for returns on the subject’s phone and social media accounts. We received several returns and are waiting on additional responses from other companies as well. Our investigative team is completing analyses of the returns and actioning leads as needed; we anticipate continuing until the FBI knows the full totality of the subject’s social media presence.
- Law enforcement holdings and history: In 2002, the subject was charged and convicted in North Carolina for possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Law enforcement checks also revealed that from 1997 to 2010, the subject had numerous felony charges for stolen goods. I can also share with you that he was the subject of a previously closed 2019 tip to the FBI where it was alleged he was a felon in possession of a firearm. In following up on the tip, the alleged complainant was interviewed and did not verify providing the initial information. The FBI passed the information to local law enforcement in Honolulu.
Law enforcement coordination
On behalf of the FBI, I would like to thank Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Martin County Sheriff’s Office for their incredible work in actioning the witness’ information and rapidly apprehending the subject.
I would also like to thank the United States Secret Service; the USAO Southern District of Florida; Department of Justice’s National Security Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and our FBI field offices, Honolulu and Charlotte, who have been conducting additional law enforcement activity related to the subject.
Your continued partnerships have been invaluable.
Call to action
Oftentimes in law enforcement, we tell our citizens to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Yesterday, a citizen provided remarkable assistance, which led to the arrest of the subject.
We appreciate the public’s diligence in passing potential tips and important information regarding the subject and this incident to the FBI.
If you have any information, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go online to tips.fbi.gov.