A man accused of plotting to kill Donald Trump has been charged with the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate.
Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested on 15 September, after he allegedly camped out at one of Trump’s Florida golf courses with a loaded gun.
Routh was initially charged with two gun-related offences. Now, the 58-year-old is facing life in prison on upgraded charges.
Here’s the latest.
What happened?
Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach course earlier this month under the protection of the Secret Service — the agency tasked with managing former and current U.S. presidents’ safety.
A Secret Service Agent opened fire after spotting a man in the bushes, allegedly with a gun “aimed directly at [Trump].”
Trump was taken to safety, uninjured.
The suspect, now identified as Routh, had fled the scene by car but was later arrested.
Investigation
Police found several items near where Routh fled from, including a backpack and loaded semiautomatic rifle — with Routh’s fingerprints.
Investigators searched Routh’s car, where they allegedly found spare license plates, mobile phones, several pairs of gloves and Routh’s passport.
A handwritten list describing Trump’s previous and planned movements was also taken into evidence.
Routh was initially charged with two federal firearm offences.
Investigators said “a book apparently authored by Routh in February 2023,” included anti-Trump comments.
Its author admitted to previously supporting Trump, and said, “You are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgement”.
Authorities also claim Routh handwrote a letter apologising for a “failed” assassination attempt.
“I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,” it said.
Routh allegedly went on to write, ”I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
New charges
Routh’s charges have since been upgraded to include more serious offences.
One of the charges against him – attempted assassination of a presidential candidate – carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
He’s also been accused of assaulting a federal officer.
Court documents claim Routh “did forcibly assault” or “intimidate” a Secret Service Agent “with a deadly and dangerous weapon”.
Trump comments
Trump accused authorities of “mishandling” inquiries into the second attempt on his life in two months.
In a statement, the Republican nominee said he found it “difficult” to trust federal investigators, referring to his ongoing criminal proceedings.
He accused the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the FBI of a conflict of interest
“since they have been obsessed with ‘Getting Trump’ for so long.”
Trump called for state authorities to take over investigations, and said: “LET FLORIDA HANDLE THE CASE!”
Next steps
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said state and federal prosecutors were working together to ensure “full accountability”.
Garland said Routh would continue to be held in police custody with “further charges” expected to be laid.
The DoJ called the assassination attempt “a heinous act” and said it would “spare no resources” in criminally pursuing the matter.
It comes amid a separate investigation into Routh’s son, who’s been arrested on child exploitation material charges.
Oran Routh
Oran Alexander Routh was arrested on Monday, following an FBI raid of his home.
Authorities searched Oran’s North Carolina home as part of the investigations into his father.
During the search, investigators allegedly found multiple devices with “hundreds of child pornography files” stored on them.
Oran has been charged with two child pornography offences.
