Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man from Greensboro, North Carolina, was arrested in Florida on charges related to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident took place near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, where Secret Service agents reportedly opened fire on Routh after spotting him with an AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope and a GoPro camera. Routh fled the scene in a black car but was captured with the assistance of eyewitness accounts.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County confirmed Routh’s arrest, noting that he is currently under investigation as a “potential suspect.” Routh’s background paints a picture of a man with a history of radical behavior. Although he has no formal military background, he had expressed a strong desire to participate in armed conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. According to a New York Times report, Routh had publicly declared his willingness to “fight and die” in Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. His online presence included posts advocating for civilians to take active roles in global conflicts, as well as claims that he had traveled to Ukraine to assist in the war effort and recruit Afghan soldiers.
Routh’s prior encounters with the law date back to 2002 when he was arrested for barricading himself in a building with a fully automatic weapon, though details about the outcome of that case remain unclear.
In the wake of the incident, Trump and his campaign have reassured the public of his safety. “Fear not! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt,” Trump stated, easing concerns about his well-being. This incident follows another recent assassination attempt on Trump, underscoring the ongoing security threats faced by the former president.
