Suspect In Apparent Assassination Attempt On Donald Trump Charged With Two Gun Possession Crimes
The man arrested following an apparent assassination attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump was charged this morning with two gun crimes.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person — convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The investigation is ongoing, so additional charges may be filed.
More from Deadline
A Secret Service agent assigned to Trump’s security detail on Sunday was walking the perimeter of Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, FL when he spotted “what appeared to be a rifle poking out of the tree line,” according to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint against Routh. Trump was playing a round of golf and was about 300 to 500 yards behind, authorities said.
The agent fired shots in the direction of the rifle, and the man was later spotted fleeing the area in a Nissan SUV. Agents found “a loaded, SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope,” along with a digital camera and two bags including a backpack, according to the affidavit. There also was a black plastic bag containing food.
Routh’s vehicle was stopped about 45 minutes later in Martin County, with a license plate that had been reported stolen.
Routh’s mobile phone was located in the vicinity of the golf course location from about 1:59 a.m. to 1:31 p.m. on Sunday, according to the affidavit.
In North Carolina in 2002, he had been convicted of possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction, a felony under state law. In March, 2010, he was convicted in North Carolina of multiple counts of possession of stolen goods.
Trump was unharmed in the incident. He survived an assassination attempt in July, when an assailant fired shots into a rally in Pennsylvania. One attendee was killed. The assailant also was shot and killed.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.