Ryan Wesley Routh, 58: Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempts

Background and profile

• Age and origin: Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is originally from North Carolina and later moved to Hawaii in 2018
• Criminal history: The 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect has at least two prior felony convictions in North Carolina:
  • In 2002 for possessing an unregistered fully automatic gun
  • In 2010 for possessing stolen goods
• Political views: Ryan Routh, assassination suspect, showed a shift in political stance through social media posts:
  • Initially expressed support for Trump's re-election in 2020
  • Later backed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
  • Recent posts described Trump as a threat to US democracy

Involvement in assassination attempts

First attempt - Butler, Pennsylvania (July 13, 2024)

• Incident: A gunman, later identified as the 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect, wounded Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, PA, on July 13, 2024
• Outcome: The shooting struck Trump's ear, killed one attendee, and wounded two others
• Security failures: The Secret Service admitted to failures that led to this incident, involving the suspect now known as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, including:
  • Complacency
  • Flaws in planning
  • Over-reliance on mobile devices

Second attempt - West Palm Beach, Florida (September 15, 2024)

• Incident: Ryan Routh, assassination suspect, was arrested for allegedly pointing a semiautomatic rifle at former president Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida
• Details:
  • Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was spotted with a loaded SKS semi-automatic rifle on the perimeter of Trump's golf course
  • He allegedly hid in bushes for nearly 12 hours
  • Routh was within 500 yards of Trump
• Foiled attempt: The Secret Service successfully prevented this assassination attempt by the 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect

Legal consequences

• Federal charges:
  • Illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon
  • Having a firearm with an obliterated serial number
• Potential state charges:
  • Attempted murder under Florida state law, punishable by life in prison
• Additional charges: Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, may face charges for making threats against a former President, punishable by up to five years in prison

Other relevant information

• Ukraine connection: Ryan Routh, assassination suspect, traveled to Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion to recruit foreign fighters
• Concerns raised: The activities of the 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect in Ukraine raised concerns about human trafficking and mental health

FAQ

Who is Ryan Wesley Routh?

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is a North Carolina native and the primary suspect in two attempted assassinations of former President Donald Trump in 2024. He is known as the "58-year-old Trump shooter" suspect and faces multiple federal and potential state charges for his alleged involvement in these incidents.

What are the main charges against Ryan Routh, the assassination suspect?

The Ryan Routh assassination suspect faces federal charges for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and having a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He may also face state charges for attempted murder under Florida law, which is punishable by life in prison.

What were the two assassination attempts allegedly involving the 58-year-old Trump shooter?

The first attempt occurred on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the suspect wounded Donald Trump at a rally. The second attempt took place on September 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested for allegedly pointing a semiautomatic rifle at Trump at his golf course.

What is Ryan Wesley Routh's background?

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has at least two prior felony convictions in North Carolina. He moved to Hawaii in 2018 and showed a shift in political views over time. The Ryan Routh assassination suspect also traveled to Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion to recruit foreign fighters.

How was the 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect apprehended in the second attempt?

In the second attempt, the 58-year-old Trump shooter suspect was spotted with a loaded SKS semi-automatic rifle on the perimeter of Trump's golf course in Florida. He allegedly hid in bushes for nearly 12 hours before being apprehended by the Secret Service within 500 yards of Trump.