Officials are investigating an incident where a suspect pointed a high-powered rifle at former President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was allegedly located 300-500 yards away from Trump. Members of the Secret Service opened fire on Routh, and he was later detained after fleeing the scene in a black Nissan. Law enforcement found the rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera in the bushes at the scene. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating this incident as an attempted assassination of Trump.
Routh has a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, with charges ranging from writing bad checks to possession of a weapon of mass destruction in 2002. His most recent address is in Hawaii, but he has spent most of his life in North Carolina. Routh’s online profile suggests he voted Democratic in the 2024 primary election and posted critical comments about Trump on social media. He expressed disappointment in Trump’s performance as president and made references to a previous assassination attempt on Trump in his online posts.
Routh was an advocate for Ukraine and even traveled to the country in 2022 with the intention of fighting against Russia’s invasion. Despite not having military experience, he promoted the idea of individuals taking up arms for Ukraine. He attempted to recruit Afghan fighters who had fled the Taliban to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia but was unsuccessful in convincing the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to issue visas. Routh was interviewed by various news organizations, and he believed his efforts were about good versus evil in the conflict.
The suspect’s LinkedIn profile indicates he owned a shed-building company and studied at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. His online activity showed support for Ukraine and criticism of Trump, along with references to a previous assassination attempt on the former president. Despite his passion for Ukraine, Routh’s efforts to recruit fighters and promote the cause were met with challenges and did not lead to significant success. The investigation into the incident at the Florida golf course continues, with the FBI and U.S. Secret Service working to determine the suspect’s motives and background.
