Donald Trump’s ‘gunman’ Ryan Routh, 58, charged with attempted assassination of ex-President over golf course plot
THE man who allegedly staked out Donald Trump on his golf course in Florida has been charged with attempting to assassinate him.
Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was denied bail at a court hearing on Monday - hours after prosecutors cited a letter offering $150,000 to "finish the job" as evidence of why he should be kept locked up pending trial.
Routh had been initially charged with two federal firearms offences but the upgraded charges reflect the Justice Department's assessment that he plotted to kill Trump.
They claim this is through Routh aiming a rifle through the shrubbery surrounding Trump's West Palm Beach golf course on an afternoon the ex-president was playing on it.
Routh left behind a note in which he described his intention.
Ryan Routh's letter
The Justice Department released a chilling letter from would-be assassin Ryan Wesley Routh about his plan to kill Donald Trump on Monday.
"Dear world," the note began.
"This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.
"It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.
"Everyone across the globe from the youngest to the oldest know that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less a U.S. president.
"US presidents must at bare minimum embody the moral fabric that is America, and be kind, caring and selfless and always stand for humanity.
"Trump fails to understand any of [that]," the letter concluded.
On September 15, 2024, the former president was taking part in a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, when shots were heard.
read more world news
It came after agents spotted someone they suspected of aiming the weapon from nearby bushes.
The would-be assassin, who managed to get within 400-500 yards of Trump, attempted to flee the scene in an SUV but was caught by officials and taken into custody.
Officials said it's unclear whether the suspect fired a shot - or the Secret Service did.
An eyewitness saw the suspect fleeing from the bushes in a black Nissan.
The witness contacted law enforcement and provided images of the vehicle and its license plate.
The FBI confirmed they saved Trump from an “assassination attempt” as he played golf.
An AK-47-style rifle, backpacks, and a GoPro camera were later found discarded by the golf club.
It was then revealed that Ryan Routh was arrested in connection with the incident.
More details about the alleged suspect have since been revealed.
He reportedly lived in North Carolina for most of his life.
According to the Associated Press, Routh then moved to Kauai, Hawaii, in 2018, and he and his son appear to operate a company building sheds.
In 2022, he traveled to Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion.
On his social media profile, he urged the US to send more arms and called for civilians to join him.
AMMO BOX
The witness who turned the letter in to the DOJ said they received the chilling note inside a box from Routh several months prior to the attempted assassination.
The recipient only opened the box after hearing Routh was identified as the wannabe assassin, officials said.
Along with the note and several handwritten letters, the box reportedly contained ammunition, a metal pipe, and other items.
The Justice Department also revealed that a search of Routh's car revealed a list of dates and venues where Trump was scheduled to appear.
Cops found six phones in his car, along with a notebook filled with anti-government criticism.
The U.S. Sun contacted the DOJ for comment.
'VERY DANGEROUS GAME'
Routh allegedly set out to kill Trump as the Republican nominee was playing on a West Palm Beach golf course - but a Secret Service agent spotted his rifle poking out of the course's treeline.
He fled the scene and was captured 45 minutes later. The wannabe assassin left a loaded rifle with a scope, a digital camera, and a plastic bag with food at the scene, according to an FBI affidavit.
Cell phone records showed Routh was in the area of the tree line outside the golf course for about 12 hours, from around 2 am until 1:31 pm on Sunday, the affidavit revealed.
Security at the golf course rushed Trump to safety and he was unharmed in the attempted attack.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The former president later joked about the incident in an appearance on comic Greg Gutfeld's show.
“I always said golf is a very dangerous game,” he said.