It is allegedly the second attempt on Donald Trump’s life within months
The suspect who has been accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump has been charged with federal gun crimes.
Ryan Wesley Routh has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh was arrested last night in a traffic stop by police north of where the shooting took place in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to PA, Routh entered court today wearing a blue jumpsuit with his ‘arms and legs shackled’.
The suspect of the alleged assassination attempt on Trump was named as Ryan Wesley Routh (AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
Of the two charges, Routh was told the first could lead to him facing up to 15 years, and the second could lead to prison time of up to five years.
The convicted felon attempted to fire a rifle at Donald Trump yesterday whilst he played golf in Florida.
Following a search of the area, officials discovered ‘an AK-47 rifle with a scope, two backpacks […] and a GoPro’ Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
In a fundraising email sent following the shooting, Trump said: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!“
“Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
The response from Donald Trump (Piers Morgan)
The son of Ryan Routh has spoken out, calling the man accused of attempting to shoot Donald trump a ‘caring father’.
He told CNN: “Ryan is my father, and I don’t have any comment beyond a character profile of him as a loving and caring father, and honest, hardworking man.
“I don’t know what’s happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion, because from the little I’ve heard, it doesn’t sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent.
“He’s a good father, and a great man, and I hope you can portray him in an honest light.”
Trump was on the golf course when shots were fired in his vicinity (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
PA have discovered a book written by Routh, in which he calls for Iran to assassinate the former President.
He wrote in the self-published book, titled Ukraine’s Unwinnable War, of his disdain for Trump.
He described the former President as a ‘fool’ for his part in January 6th Capitol Riots, and called his decision to leave an Iran Nuclear deal a ‘tremendous blunder’.
He went on to say of Iran: “You are free to assassinate Trump”.
