A 58-year-old man with a long history of criminal activity is now facing charges in an alleged assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after reportedly aiming an AK-47 at Trump while he was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday afternoon.
The incident, which could have resulted in a national tragedy, unfolded quickly. According to authorities, Secret Service agents spotted the muzzle of an AK-47 protruding through a chain-link fence near the golf course’s sixth hole, just ahead of Trump, who was playing on the fifth hole. In response, Secret Service personnel fired at Routh, who then abandoned the rifle, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks before fleeing the scene in an SUV.
Authorities are treating the event as a serious attempt on Trump’s life. Secret Service agents were quick to act, and Trump was promptly escorted off the course without injury. Following the incident, Trump’s campaign issued a statement confirming that the former president was unharmed. Trump himself sent a message to his supporters, stating he will “never surrender.”
Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of this alarming act, has a prolific criminal history spanning several decades. Born in North Carolina, Routh’s arrest record goes back to at least the 1990s. He has faced a variety of charges over the years, including drug possession, driving without a license, expired vehicle inspection, and operating a vehicle without insurance. These charges, while not particularly severe, marked the beginning of a series of escalating confrontations with law enforcement.
One of the most notable incidents in Routh’s criminal past occurred in 2002. According to a report from the *Greensboro News & Record*, Routh was involved in a three-hour standoff with police after a routine traffic stop. He had reportedly put his hand on a gun during the stop before fleeing and barricading himself inside his roofing company’s office. The standoff eventually ended with his arrest, but it highlighted a pattern of erratic and dangerous behavior that would follow Routh throughout his life.
In 2017, Routh relocated to Hawaii, where he launched a construction company focused on building affordable housing for the homeless. His LinkedIn profile, which appears to be maintained by Routh, suggests that his business aimed to provide simple housing structures, perhaps an indication of his desire to turn his life around. However, his arrest record shows that his problems with law enforcement persisted even after his move to Hawaii.
The events of Sunday afternoon at Trump International Golf Club are still being pieced together by investigators, but what is clear is that Routh’s actions posed a significant threat to Donald Trump. The Secret Service, responsible for protecting former presidents, acted swiftly when they saw Routh’s AK-47 through the fence. Their response was immediate, with one agent reportedly firing at Routh before he fled the scene.
After abandoning his rifle and other items near the course, Routh attempted to escape in an SUV. However, law enforcement quickly tracked him down, and he was arrested shortly after the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether Routh had accomplices or whether he had been planning the attack for some time. As the investigation continues, more details about Routh’s motivations and the extent of the threat he posed may come to light.
Following the attack, Trump’s team wasted no time in reassuring the public and his supporters that the former president was safe. A statement from his campaign emphasized that Trump had been immediately removed from the situation by the Secret Service and had not been harmed. Trump later addressed his supporters directly, using the moment to reaffirm his resilience, stating, “I will never surrender.”
The attempted assassination of a former U.S. president is an alarming escalation in the already intense and polarized political atmosphere in the country. Trump, a polarizing figure himself, has been the subject of numerous threats throughout his political career, but few incidents have involved such a direct and imminent threat to his life.
The attack also raises questions about security at Trump’s properties and the broader challenge of protecting high-profile political figures. The quick response of the Secret Service undoubtedly prevented what could have been a devastating attack, but the mere fact that Routh was able to get so close to the former president with a high-powered weapon will likely lead to a reevaluation of security protocols at such venues.
Authorities are still investigating how Routh managed to acquire the weapon and gain access to the perimeter of the golf course. Given his lengthy criminal record, including his history of erratic behavior, questions are also being raised about whether Routh had been flagged by authorities in the lead-up to the incident. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are currently involved in the investigation, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.
As for Ryan Wesley Routh, he now faces the possibility of federal charges, including attempted assassination of a former U.S. president, which could carry a life sentence. His long history of criminal behavior, combined with the severity of this latest act, makes it likely that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by high-profile political figures and the critical importance of maintaining stringent security measures to protect them from harm. As more details emerge, the full scope of Routh’s intentions—and the extent of the threat he posed—will become clearer.