The alleged gunman who authorities say tried to kill former President Donald Trump on his golf course over the weekend smiled in a Florida federal court on Monday morning as he was hit with federal gun charges.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was seen wearing dark blue prison scrubs with his hands and feet shackled ahead of his appearance at the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach.
He was calm and was seen talking and smiling with assistant public defender Kristy Militello ahead of his hearing.
A sketch of would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh in Florida federal court on Sept. 16, 2024. Lothar Speer
Routh was hit with federal gun charges. Lothar SpeerRouth was charged with possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Additional charges may be filed against him as the investigation continues and prosecutors seek an indictment, prosecutors said.
During the hearing, Routh said he works and makes about $3,000 a month, but has zero savings.
Routh told the court he has not real estate or assets aside from two trucks in Hawaii that are worth about $1,000.
Routh in police custody after the assassination attempt was foiled. AP
Routh was arrested on I-95 shortly after Secret Service opened fire at him. via REUTERSHe also said he has a 25-year-old son, whom he sometimes supports.
Routh could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the first charge, and a possible five-year sentence on the second charge, officials said.
A detention hearing for Routh has been set for Sept. 23 while his arraignment will be Sept. 30.
Here's what we know about the assassination attempt on Trump in Florida:
- Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Trump sent out a statement to supporters soon after to report that he was “SAFE AND WELL.”
- The suspect — identified as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii — was able to get within 300 to 500 yards of Trump at a chain link fence on the edge of the course, where he had an AK-47 and a GoPro camera set up, apparently to record the planned shooting.
- Routh has a history of supporting progressive causes online and has made 19 donations to Democratic candidates since 2019.
- A Secret Service agent spotted and opened fire on Routh as he put his gun through the fence. The suspect fled and was arrested on I-95 a short time later.
- According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Trump’s security detail was lighter because he isn’t a sitting president — despite the previous attempt on his life in July.
Routh got within 300 to 500 yards of Trump at a chain link fence on the edge of his Palm Beach golf course Sunday afternoon while armed with an AK-style assault rifle, authorities say.
A Secret Service agent who was one hole ahead of Trump on the golf course spotted the rifle poking through the fence and opened fire.
A backpack with a gun and GoPro camera where Routh was camped out near the golf course.
Authorities said Routh had a scope on the rifle, backpacks and a GoPro camera set up to film the shooting, officials said.
The suspect fled and was arrested on I-95 a short time later.
Despite the attempt on Trump’s life in July, his security detail is lighter since he isn’t a sitting president, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explained on Sunday.
With Post wires
