THE man who allegedly staked out Donald Trump on his golf course in Florida has been charged with attempting to assassinate him.
Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was denied bail at a court hearing on Monday – hours after prosecutors cited a letter offering $150,000 to “finish the job” as evidence of why he should be kept locked up pending trial.
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Routh had been initially charged with two federal firearms offenses but the upgraded charges reflect the Justice Department’s assessment that he plotted to kill Trump.
They claim this is through Routh aiming a rifle through the shrubbery surrounding Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course on an afternoon the ex-president was playing on it.
Routh left behind a note in which he described his intention.
On September 15, 2024, the former president was taking part in a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, when shots were heard.
It came after agents spotted someone they suspected of aiming the weapon from nearby bushes.
The would-be assassin, who managed to get within 400-500 yards of Trump, attempted to flee the scene in an SUV but was caught by officials and taken into custody.
Officials said it’s unclear whether the suspect fired a shot – or the Secret Service did.
An eyewitness saw the suspect fleeing from the bushes in a black Nissan.
The witness contacted law enforcement and provided images of the vehicle and its license plate.
The FBI confirmed they saved Trump from an “assassination attempt” as he played golf.
An AK-47-style rifle, backpacks, and a GoPro camera were later found discarded by the golf club.
It was then revealed that Ryan Routh was arrested in connection with the incident.
More details about the alleged suspect have since been revealed.
He reportedly lived in North Carolina for most of his life.
According to the Associated Press, Routh then moved to Kauai, Hawaii, in 2018, and he and his son appear to operate a company building sheds.
In 2022, he traveled to Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion.
On his social media profile, he urged the US to send more arms and called for civilians to join him.
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