Ryan Wesley Routh

Ryan Wesley Routh
Routh's mug shot after his arrest
Born (1966-02-18) February 18, 1966 (age 58)
Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.
Known forAccused of the Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida
Criminal statusPre-trial detention
MotiveUnder investigation
Criminal charge
  • Attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate
  • Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
  • Assaulting a federal officer
  • Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
  • Possession of a firearm with the serial number removed
Details
DateSeptember 15, 2024
Location(s)Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach
WeaponSKS semiautomatic 7.62x39 caliber rifle
Imprisoned atFederal Detention Center, Miami[1]
Ryan Routh's voice
Ryan Routh discusses why he wants to be involved in the Russo-Ukrainian War in an interview with Newsweek Romania
Recorded June 14, 2022

Ryan Wesley Routh (born February 18, 1966)[2] is an American man who allegedly attempted to assassinate 45th U.S. President and the then Republican Party nominee for the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump, on September 15, 2024. Routh's motives are currently under investigation.

On September 15, 2024, a Secret Service agent shot at least four rounds at Routh, who was hiding with an SKS-style rifle[3] in shrubbery at the Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach. He was allegedly pointing his weapon through the fence line of the golf course, 300–500 yards away from the former president, who was moving between holes five and six alongside Republican megadonor and real estate investor Steve Witkoff. Routh fled the scene, but was later arrested as the prime suspect.[4][5] An update given by the FBI on September 16 mentioned that Routh had not fired his weapon.[4][6][7]

Routh has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate. A preliminary trial date was set for February 10, 2025.[8] Routh could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.[9]

  1. ^ "Find an inmate". Federal Bureau of Prison. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Gurman, Sadie. "Trump Safe After Another Apparent Assassination Attempt". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "READ: Criminal complaint against suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt". September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Breen, Kerry; Schecter, Anna (September 16, 2024). "What's known about Ryan Wesley Routh, suspect in possible Trump assassination attempt on Florida golf course". CBS News. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "Trump assassination attempt: Who is suspect Ryan Routh?". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Trump Safe After Shooting Reported at His Golf Course". The New York Times. September 15, 2024. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Trump is safe following shooting at Florida golf course; suspect detained". CNN. September 15, 2024. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Trial date for Ryan Routh in Trump assassination attempt moved to February". WBPF. October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Lewis, Kaitlin (November 4, 2024). "Trump Suspect Ryan Routh Predicts Civil War if Donald Wins". Newsweek. Retrieved November 4, 2024.