The 58-year-old suspect in the second assassination attempt on President Trump was likely hiding along the tree line at Trump’s golf club for nearly 12 hours before being spotted, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. Ryan Routh was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Authorities are still investigating the incident, and additional charges are likely.
Prosecutors initially filed gun-related charges as they work to keep Routh detained while the investigation continues. During his first court appearance on Monday, Routh appeared in dark prison scrubs, shackled, and responded “yes” to questions from Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe. Routh, who said he had no money for a lawyer, was assigned a federal public defender, and will remain in custody until his detention hearing on September 23. An arraignment is scheduled for September 30.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday when a Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a rifle emerging from the fence between the 5th and 6th holes of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Charging documents reveal that cellphone data indicates Routh may have been in the area as early as 1:59 a.m. ET Sunday, staying near the perimeter of the golf club until the agent spotted him.
Authorities discovered a sniper’s nest near the fence line, containing a scoped rifle, GoPro camera, and backpacks with ceramic plates. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the Secret Service agent fired at the suspect, who fled in a car without returning fire. Routh was later detained in Martin County, about an hour away, while driving his daughter’s car.
Trump’s public schedule did not include notice of his golf outing that day. It is so far unclear exactly how Routh happened to know where Trump would be at that exact moment.
Local state attorney David Aronberg said Routh remained silent during his arrest and will face federal charges. Trump, speaking to Fox News on Monday, blamed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the attempt on his life, pointing out that their rhetoric had incited the incident.
