The man accused in the apparent assassination attempt targeting former U.S. president Donald Trump on Sunday was close to the golf course for 12 hours before he was caught, authorities say.
The cellphone belonging to Ryan W. Routh was “in the vicinity of the area” of the tree line next to the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., as of 1:59 a.m. ET on Sunday, according to a criminal complaint filed in court on Monday.
A Secret Service agent walking the golf course a few holes ahead of Trump at 1:31 p.m. — 12 hours and two minutes later — saw the tip of the rifle poking out of the shrubbery.
The agent fired their weapon and the would-be gunman fled — without firing a shot, according to the FBI — leaving behind a loaded semiautomatic weapon fitted with a scope.
Ronald Rowe, acting director of the …