Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate former President Trump.
At a Glance
- Routh was arrested at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- He allegedly arrived armed with an AK-47-style rifle.
- Trump was evacuated unharmed.
- Routh remains in custody, awaiting charges.
Incident Overview
On a quiet day at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, an alarming incident unfolded when Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, allegedly attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
Identified as a former North Carolina resident and current Hawaii inhabitant leading Camp Box Honolulu, Routh’s actions have drawn significant attention. Law enforcement promptly evacuated Trump without harm, while Routh was later captured and taken into custody.
Routh purportedly arrived at the golf club armed with an AK-47-style rifle. Secret Service agents, having spotted the weapon, fired shots toward Routh, who then fled the scene.
Eventually, he was stopped by the Martin County Sheriff’s office on Interstate 95. Officers discovered an array of alarming items, including the rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera hidden in the bushes where Routh had concealed himself.
🔴 This is Ryan Wesley Routh, the man arrested in the assassination attempt targeting Trump. CNN reports Routh is a self-employed affordable housing builder in Hawaii who often went on social media to weigh in on politics and current events, at times criticizing the former… pic.twitter.com/9oqjy42wiG
— 🚨 Rusty Surette (@KBTXRusty) September 16, 2024
Profile and Motivations
Routh’s background presents a complex picture. Formerly a roofing contractor in Greensboro, N.C., he later moved to Hawaii and engaged in affordable housing projects. Notably, he has had over 100 encounters with law enforcement and possesses a criminal record spanning decades, including charges of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, hit-and-run, and resisting arrest.
Routh has a substantial social media presence, where he expressed a desire to fight and die in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. This sentiment is captured in one of his notable quotes: “I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE,”
His online activities also exhibit mixed political views and a history of violent rhetoric. He previously supported Trump in 2016 but later criticized his presidency, revealing a shift towards disappointment and hostility. Routh’s son described him as a loving and caring father, expressing disbelief over the incident.
Security Concerns and Investigations
This incident follows another assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, just two months ago, wherein Trump was injured, and a rally goer lost their life. The Secret Service has come under scrutiny for the security measures in place for political figures. Political leaders are demanding answers as investigations by the FBI, Secret Service, and Homeland Security proceed.
Trump expressed gratitude for his safety and lauded law enforcement for their swift response, while the vice president assured that the administration will equip the Secret Service with all necessary resources.
Ryan Wesley Routh remains in custody with no official charges filed yet and is expected to appear in court soon. The situation raises considerable questions about the current state of political security and the implications moving forward. Law enforcement agencies will likely reevaluate and bolster their strategies to prevent such threats in the future.
