Alleged would-be Trump shooter Ryan Routh has had several run-ins with the law over the years — including a 2002 conviction of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, according to online North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records.
Routh, 58, was arrested Sunday after allegedly aiming a gun at former President Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach.
He was previously arrested over two decades ago following a three-hour standoff, according to a 2002 News & Record story.
Routh was pulled over during a traffic stop, put his hand on a firearm and later drove to a roofing business, where he barricaded himself, according to News & Record.
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, West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Trump sent out a statement to supporters soon after to report that he is “SAFE AND WELL.”
- The suspect — identified as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii — was able to get between 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 to apparently film 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 the scene 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.
He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a weapon of mass destruction, which was in reference to “a fully automatic machine gun,” per News & Record.
Follow the latest on the foiled assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Florida:
- Trump ‘safe and well’ after being targeted by would-be assassin with AK-47, assault rifle for second time in 2 months
- Shots fired near Trump live updates: Would-be shooter was 300-500 yards away from Trump, came with scope and GoPro — ‘Intent on filming’
- Trump assures he’s ‘SAFE AND WELL’ after Secret Service fires at man armed with assault rifle at president’s golf resort
- Trump’s security at golf course was lighter because he’s not sitting prez: official
- Demands mount for Trump to get same protection as Biden — after yet another assassination plot
- Would-be Trump assassin ID’d as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii: sources
Routh has also been accused of failing to pay his taxes on time.
In 2008, the alleged would-be assassin faced a federal tax lien of about $32,000, according to CNN.
With Post wires