What we know of Ryan Wesley Routh, suspected shooter in second assassination attempt on Trump

In an apparent second assassination attempt on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the former President was moved to safety after authorities a man armed with an AK-style rifle was found hiding at a golf course in Florida.

The man, hiding in bushes roughly 400-500 yards from Trump, was confronted by Secret Service agents. Agents opened fire when they spotted the gunman and fired four to five rounds of ammunition, reports said. Sheriff Bradshaw stated that the suspect dropped the rifle and fled in a vehicle, abandoning the weapon along with two knapsacks, a scope used for aiming a weapon and a GoPro camera. The FBI is currently leading the investigation.

The man has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh by news agency AP. The FBI, so far, has declined to comment.

Who is Ryan Wesley Routh?

The 58-year-old is originally from North Carolina and later a resident of Hawaii. Routh operated a shed-building business with his son and had a notable presence on social media, where he frequently commented on US politics and international affairs.

According to AP, voter records show Routh as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina. He most recently voted during the state’s Democratic Party primary in  March 2024. He has also made donations to ActBlue, a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates.

On his social media, Routh has supported former Democratic candidate Tulsi Gabbard, who later switched over to the Republican party. Over the years, his political views have shifted towards supporting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

What we know from Routh’s social media?

Following the first assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, Routh urged Biden and Harris to visit those wounded in the shooting at the hospital and to attend the funeral of a former fire chief killed at the rally, news agency AP reported.

He has also expressed support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. He frequently commented on the war on his social media, and ran a website to raise money and recruit volunteers to go to Kyiv.

Routh’s past run-ins with the law

Routh has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement, including a conviction in 2002 for possession of a weapon of mass destruction following a standoff with North Carolina police.

After the incident, Trump, in an email to his supporters, confirmed he was unharmed and expressed gratitude to his security team for their swift action. He was on the fifth hole of his golf course when the event occurred and was quickly evacuated. Though safe, Trump joked that he regretted not finishing his round, as he “was even and had a birdie putt.” Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close associate, reported that Trump remained in good spirits.

This marks the second recent attempt on Trump’s life. Two months ago, during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot at, with one bullet grazing his right ear. The Secret Service later confirmed that the shooter was killed during the incident, which also left one rally attendee dead and two others injured. The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Security officials have told CBS News that the suspect fired from between 200 ft and 300 ft away on an elevated shed with an AR-style rifle.

In response to the incident, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her relief that Trump was unharmed, condemning the violence.

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