A man named Ryan Wesley Routh, aged 58, has been charged in connection with an alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Florida. According to a court document revealed on Monday, Routh left a box with a letter at a home, declaring it as an “assassination attempt.”
The incident came to light when a civilian contacted law enforcement on September 18, stating that Routh had dropped off a box at his residence months prior. Upon learning about the events at Trump International Golf Club on September 15, the witness opened the box, which contained ammunition, four phones, and letters.
One of the handwritten letters addressed to “The World” mentioned that it was an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump, but the attempt had failed. The letter criticized Trump’s actions regarding Iran and the Middle East situation.
Routh was arrested on September 15 at Trump International Golf Club after a Secret Service agent spotted him with a rifle aimed at the former president. Following his arrest, Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Upon searching Routh’s vehicle, which was a Nissan Xterra, the FBI found six cellphones, one of which had a search history related to traveling from Palm Beach County to Mexico. Cell site records indicated that Routh had traveled from North Carolina to Florida and had been in close proximity to Trump International and Mar-a-Lago.
Additionally, law enforcement found gloves, a Hawaii driver’s license, passport, and documents in Routh’s vehicle. There was also a notebook filled with information about Ukraine, as well as criticisms of the Chinese and Russian governments.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a rifle, an extended magazine, and protective plates near the golf course where Routh was hiding. A fingerprint found on the firearm matched Routh’s, adding to the evidence against him.
During a court appearance in Florida, prosecutors accused Routh of going to Trump International Golf Club with the intent to assassinate the former president. Despite his defense attorney’s plea for bail, Routh was ordered to remain in jail until his trial.
Throughout the hearing, Routh remained emotionless, dressed in a blue jumpsuit and restrained. The judge ruled in favor of keeping him detained, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges against him. The investigation into the assassination attempt continues, shedding light on the alarming incident at the golf club.