The FBI recently disclosed that the man arrested in connection with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump had a disturbing list of dates and venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear. Additionally, a cellphone found in the suspect’s vehicle revealed searches on how to travel from West Palm Beach to Mexico. These details were included in a court filing from federal prosecutors, who are seeking to keep the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, detained through a trial.
According to the court filing, Routh had left a handwritten letter addressed to “The World” with a man months before the incident. The letter confessed to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, expressing regret at failing in the attempt despite giving it their best effort. The filing also included a photograph of the letter, which was provided by a witness who claimed Routh had left a box at his home months prior to the incident. The box contained ammunition, tools, materials, four phones, and letters, including the one admitting to the assassination attempt.
Routh was charged with two federal firearms offenses following the incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was unharmed during the incident, as an agent spotted Routh’s face in the brush along with a rifle near the fence line of the golf club. While no shots were fired at Trump, the agent did fire at the suspect, who then fled the scene.
The court filing detailed the discovery of an AK-47 style rifle with a scope and extended magazine at the fence line, loaded with 11 rounds. The rifle’s serial number had been obliterated, making it unreadable. Additionally, a digital camera, backpack, and reusable shopping bag were found hanging from the fence. The backpack and shopping bag contained plates capable of stopping small arms fire, as per the filing.
After a witness at the golf course provided a description of Routh’s vehicle and license plate, he was arrested approximately 50 miles away. A search of Routh’s SUV uncovered additional license plates, six cellphones, 12 pairs of gloves, a Hawaii driver’s license in Routh’s name, and various documents. One of the phones showed a Google search on traveling from Palm Beach County to Mexico, and the documents included a list of dates and venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear.
Cell site records obtained by the FBI indicated Routh’s travel from North Carolina to West Palm Beach in mid-August, as well as his presence near Trump International Golf Course and Mar-a-Lago on multiple occasions leading up to the incident. Furthermore, Routh’s fingerprint was found on a piece of tape attached to the rifle recovered from the golf course fence line.
The filing also mentioned information received from a man who claimed Routh had left a box at his house several months prior to the incident. The box contained ammunition, a metal pipe, building materials, tools, phones, and letters. Prosecutors highlighted Routh’s prior convictions for possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of stolen goods as part of their request to keep him detained.
The incident at Trump’s golf course has raised concerns about the former president’s security, especially in light of a previous assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During that incident, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a building roof near where Trump was speaking, resulting in injuries to Trump and two others, with one fatality. The Secret Service faced criticism for communication issues and a lack of diligence in securing the area.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe defended the agency’s protection of Trump, emphasizing the successful prevention of harm to the former president during the recent incident. He praised the agents for their quick response and adherence to security protocols, noting that the procedures and redundancies in place were effective in ensuring Trump’s safety.
The investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump continues, with federal prosecutors building a case against Ryan Wesley Routh. The details revealed in the court filing shed light on the suspect’s intentions and preparations leading up to the incident, underscoring the importance of robust security measures for public figures like former presidents. As the case progresses, more information may emerge about Routh’s motives and potential accomplices, providing a clearer picture of the events surrounding the attempted attack on Donald Trump.
