Who is Ryan Wesley Routh the main suspect in the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump?

A chilling picture is emerging of the suspect who say pointed a high-powered rifle through the fence line of a Florida golf course where former President Donald Trump was golfing on Sunday afternoon. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are now investigating the incident, which the FBI has described as an "attempted assassination" of the former president.

ترامب اليوم في ملعب القولف الخاص به، قبل حادثة إطلاق النار بملعبه، ومحاولة اغتياله الفاشلة : pic.twitter.com/VgDc7dSGQD — ????????محمد|MFU (@mfu46) September 15, 2024

Details of the Incident

The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was allegedly positioned 300-500 yards away from Trump when members of the former president's Secret Service detail spotted him. The incident occurred at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

Members of the Secret Service detail opened fire at Routh, although it is not clear if he returned any shots. A witness reported seeing a man jumping out of the bushes and fleeing in a black Nissan. Law enforcement officials obtained the license plate number and pulled over the vehicle about 50 miles north of the golf course, where they detained and identified the suspect.

Table 1: Key Details of the Incident

Evidence Found at the Scene

Law enforcement officials found several items in the bushes at the scene, including the rifle, a scope, two backpacks containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera. These items being as part of the ongoing investigation.

Suspect's Background

Here's what we know about Ryan Wesley Routh:

• Criminal History: Routh has a decades-long criminal history, with issues dating back to the 1990s. His charges include writing bad checks and, more seriously, possession of a weapon of mass destruction in 2002. He has also faced misdemean such as a hit-and-run offense, resisting arrest, and a concealed weapons violation.

• Residence and Business: Routh's most recent address is listed in Hawaii, although he spent most of his life in North Carolina. He owned a shed-building company called Camp Box Honolulu and graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1998, according to his LinkedIn profile.

• Political Views: Routh voted Democratic in the 2024 primary election in North Carolina and is registered as an unaffiliated voter. His social media accounts, including a now-suspended X (formerly Twitter) account, revealed critical views of Trump and references to the July 13 assassination attempt.

• Support for Ukraine: Routh was passionate about supporting Ukraine and even traveled to Kyiv in hopes of fighting in the war against Russia in 2022. He posted on social media about his pro-Ukraine views and urged others to join the fight. However, his plans did not materialize as expected, and he was not able to join the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's International Legion.

Table 2: Key Points About Ryan Wesley Routh

Online Criticism of Trump

Routh's online presence included criticism of Trump. In a June 2020 post on X, he wrote, "@realDonaldTrump While you were my choice in 2016, I and the world hoped that President Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointed and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you're gone."

He also referenced the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump, suggesting President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris should visit the injured and attend the funeral of the Pennsylvania rally-goer who was killed.

Passionate Support for Ukraine

Routh's pro-Ukraine views were prominent in his social media posts. He wrote on X, "I am coming to Ukraine from Hawaii to fight for your kids and families and democracy. I will come and die for you." He also shared a photo of himself in Kyiv on LinkedIn.

However, his attempt to join the Ukrainian war effort was unsuccessful. In an interview with Newsweek Romania in 202, he explained that he was turned down due to his age and lack of military experience. Despite this, he continued to advocate for others to join the fight in Ukraine.

Table 3:outh's Pro-Ukraine Activities

Interaction with Media

CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams recognized Routh's name when news of his arrest broke. She had been in contact him for over a year during the early stages the war in Ukraine. Williams described Routh as genuine and passionate about supporting Ukraine but noted that sometimes seemed naïve, especially in his ambition to bring Afghan and Syrian fighters into the war

The last time Williams heard from Routh was in November 2023, when he said he was back in Hawaii.

Conclusion

The attempted assassination of former President Trump highlights the ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile political figures. As the continues, the details emerging about Ryan Wesley Routh paint a complex picture of a man with a troubled past, strong political views, and a passion for supporting Ukraine. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and effective security measures to protect public figures from such threats.

Key Takeaways

• Assassination Attempt: The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump at a golf course.
• Suspect Details: Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and has a decades-long criminal history.
• Online Crit: Routh was critical of Trump on social media and referenced previous assassination attempts.
• Pro-Ukraine Activism: Routh was passionate about supporting Ukraine and traveled to Kyiv hoping to fight against Russia.
• Media Interaction: Routh had contact with various news organizations about his efforts to support Ukraine.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the for robust security measures and vigilance to protect public figures from potential threats.