U.S. federal prosecutors have indicted Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his private golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Miami on Tuesday, September 24, charges Routh with trying to kill Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, at Trump International Golf Club on September 15.
According to prosecutors, Routh had stalked Trump for a month, tracking his public appearances and events. Court filings revealed that Routh even wrote a note offering $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job.” On the day of the incident, Routh allegedly aimed his rifle through a fence at the golf course.
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the attack, stating, "Violence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for. The Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable for the attempted assassination of former President Trump." Garland also emphasized that such violence strikes at the heart of democracy and must be stopped.
Routh did not fire his weapon, according to Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. The gunshots heard at the scene came from a Secret Service agent who saw Routh’s gun through the fence and responded immediately.
Routh, who is already facing charges of firearm possession as a convicted felon and for tampering with the gun’s serial number, could face up to 20 years in prison. If convicted of the attempted assassination, he could receive a life sentence. Routh remains in pretrial detention, and the case is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.
This marks the second assassination attempt against Trump, following an earlier incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained a minor injury to his ear. Fortunately, Trump was not harmed during the Florida incident.
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