Authorities have arrested a man accused of attempting to shoot former President Donald Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, allegedly aimed an AK-47 at Trump on Sunday during a round of golf at Trump International Club.
According to law enforcement, Routh has a lengthy criminal history, including a conviction more than 20 years ago for possessing a weapon of mass destruction, as reported by News & Record.
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Routh’s criminal past includes a standoff with police in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he barricaded himself inside a business after fleeing a traffic stop while armed. In a 2020 social media post, he expressed regret over voting for Trump in 2016, claiming, “We all were greatly disappointed.”
Routh added, “I will be glad when you gone (sic),” as reported by the Daily Mail.
🚨#BREAKING: The suspect in the second assassination attempt on President Trump is known as Ryan Wesley Routh pic.twitter.com/LOoePW6Lp6
— Johncast (@johncastnow) September 15, 2024
In addition to his anti-Trump posts, Routh was also vocal about the war in Ukraine. In a 2022 interview with News Week Romania, Routh expressed strong opinions, claiming he was actively recruiting fighters for Ukraine, stating, “This is definitely evil against good.”
His social media was littered with posts glorifying violence in what he described as a fight for justice, further highlighting his volatile mindset.
Not before we got a video of his entire Facebook. pic.twitter.com/4Z2gNaInlI
— Jess (@jessiprincey) September 15, 2024
During a press conference, Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed that Routh was spotted by a Secret Service agent who saw the rifle barrel sticking out from behind a fence.
The agent fired at the suspect, who fled in a black SUV. A witness was able to capture the vehicle’s license plate, aiding in Routh’s arrest.
The incident is the second assassination attempt targeting Trump in just two months. A previous attempt occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
ongressman Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a member of the House Task Force on assassination attempts, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting, “This was not an isolated incident.”
Routh was able to get within 400-500 yards of Trump before being spotted by Secret Service. Fortunately, no one was harmed. Authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle, a backpack, and a GoPro camera from the scene.
Investigations are ongoing, with Congress and law enforcement working to uncover more about the incident and any connections to other threats.
The area where Routh was found is considered a vulnerable part of the golf course due to its proximity to the road.
Law enforcement officials have reassured the public that security measures surrounding Trump have since been increased.
Special Agent Rafael Barros confirmed that the Secret Service has enhanced its presence after the two recent attempts on Trump’s life, adding, “We are living in dangerous times.”
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OK, he can hide in the bushes for 12 hours, but parking nearby? Looks like another “Serpico treatment” for Trump.