Trump attack/ alleged assassination attempt on Trump/ Trump gun charges/ Newslooks/ WEST PALM BEACH/ Fla./ Morning Edition/ J. Mansour/ Ryan Wesley Routh the suspect in an apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, has been charged with federal gun crimes. He faces charges for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and having a gun with an obliterated serial number. Secret Service agents identified Routh near Trump’s golf course in Florida, where he allegedly brandished an AK-style rifle before fleeing. This is the second attempt on Trump’s life in two months.
Trump Assassination Plot: Gun Charges Filed Quick Looks:
- Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, charged with federal gun crimes after an apparent attempt on Trump’s life.
- Charges include possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a gun with an obliterated serial number.
- Routh was spotted near Trump’s golf course holding an AK-style rifle.
- Secret Service agents fired at Routh, causing him to flee before being apprehended.
- This marks the second assassination attempt targeting Trump in two months.
Man Charged with Gun Crimes After Alleged Assassination Attempt on Trump
Deep Look:
Federal charges were filed against 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh on Monday, following an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump. Routh faces two federal charges: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The charges came as the investigation into Sunday’s incident continues, with additional charges possible pending a grand jury indictment.
The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club, where U.S. Secret Service agents observed a rifle muzzle sticking out of shrubbery about 400 yards away from the former president, who was playing golf. The rifle, later identified as an AK-style weapon, prompted one of the agents to fire at the suspect. Routh immediately dropped the firearm and fled in an SUV, leaving behind two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera.
Routh was later apprehended by law enforcement in a neighboring county, with no injuries reported. The rifle he left behind was recovered at the scene, but its serial number had been removed, adding to the seriousness of the charges against him.
This latest incident marks the second apparent assassination attempt on Trump in just two months. In July, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Following that incident, the political landscape saw significant changes, including President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race just eight days later, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election.
Routh appeared briefly in federal court in West Palm Beach on Monday morning, where he answered basic questions about his employment status and income. Dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit and shackled, Routh smiled as he spoke with his public defender and reviewed court documents. His lawyer declined to comment on the charges after the court appearance.
The charges against Routh stem from his status as a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. The obliterated serial number on the rifle raises further concerns, and federal investigators are continuing to piece together the details surrounding Routh’s actions and possible motives.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies are collaborating on the ongoing investigation, with authorities looking into whether Routh had any prior connections to extremist groups or whether his actions were politically motivated. At this stage, no public details about Routh’s motives have been released.
Meanwhile, calls for enhanced security for Trump have grown louder in the wake of these incidents. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already called for increased Secret Service resources to protect Trump, stating that the former president remains “the most attacked” figure in the current political climate.
As the investigation progresses, the threat of political violence continues to loom over the already turbulent 2024 presidential election, with both Trump and his Democratic rival Kamala Harris expected to remain at the center of heightened security measures.
