Trump assassination attempt: Four key questions investigators are considering regarding the suspect's possible personal vendetta

With Ryan Routh in custody, the FBI and Florida police will have a lot of work to do in investigating his alleged assassination plot and determining what may have driven him to do it.

Patrick Brosnan, a former NYPD investigator and security expert, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that investigators will need to analyze a wide range of data in the upcoming weeks, including cellular data, online shopping records, phone camera images, bank records, email correspondence, recent search engine inquiries, dating app activity, identification of any possible burner phones, footage from city streets, UPS trucks, Amazon trucks, or backup cameras, and all cell tower pings within a fixed distance.

According to Gene Petrino, a SWAT commander with nearly three decades in law enforcement and a master's degree in security management, investigators will construct Routh's profile to address these inquiries.

Investigators will obtain warrants to examine Routh's social media and interview his family and associates to determine if anyone else was involved in planning his assassination attempt on Sunday afternoon or if anyone trained him beforehand.

Petrino stated that they will search for a possible accomplice or someone who knew but remained silent.

The FBI stated at a news conference on Monday that they have no evidence suggesting Routh acted with others.

2. What was Routh's motive?

Investigators will search for the motive behind the 58-year-old's alleged attempt to shoot the former president through associates and social media.

"Petrino stated that they will investigate the suspect's background and motive by examining videos, social media accounts, and talking to neighbors. They will also analyze what may have motivated the suspect or if there is a personal vendetta."

Routh, prior to Sunday's assassination attempt, criticized Trump as a "buffoon," an "idiot," and a "fool" on X, stating that he had initially supported Trump in 2016 but later realized it was a "terrible mistake." He also wrote that Iran should be allowed to assassinate Trump and him for this error in judgment.

He also stated that he would willingly "volunteer to fight and die" to aid Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

The New York Times reported that Routh, a pro-Ukraine activist, spent time in Eastern Europe volunteering to increase support for the country's military efforts and recruited Afghan veterans who fled from the Taliban to fight in the war.

If someone is deeply committed to protecting another country, they may also feel strongly about addressing issues in their own country, according to Petrino.

3. How did Routh come into possession of a firearm?

On Monday, Routh was charged in federal court for possessing a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope and an obliterated serial number after being spotted and fleeing the scene of Trump International Golf Course.

In the 1980s, Routh had a criminal record in North Carolina's Guilford County, with charges against him ranging from writing multiple bad checks to felony firearm possession, possession of a stolen vehicle, and multiple counts of possession of a weapon of mass destruction, including a "binary explosive with a 10-in[ch] detonation cord and a blasting cap" in 2002.

"Petrino stated that they will investigate how the rifle was obtained and whether it was used elsewhere. He had a prior conviction of weapons possession, which typically prohibits obtaining another weapon; how did he obtain another weapon if he was a convicted felon?"

4. How did Routh know where to lie in wait?

According to court documents, Routh concealed himself in bushes near Trump International Golf Course for approximately 12 hours before being discovered.

Petrino stated that authorities must determine how he obtained knowledge of Trump's location and how he targeted a specific spot with a direct line of sight to the former president.

"Petrino stated that finding the location where to hide would require some effort. While it is possible to do so using Google Maps on a computer, there was likely some planning and consideration involved. It is unclear how the individual knew to go to that specific location. The likelihood of them being in the area, spotting a motorcade, and attempting to kidnap the president is low."

Petrino stated that it is unclear how the individual obtained the ability to predict Trump's location. It is possible that there was a security breach or that secure channels were compromised. Alternatively, it is possible that someone on the inside was providing the information.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.