By Blake Wolf, OAN Staff
Thursday, September 19, 2024 11:18 AM
More details are emerging about the suspect in the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, with a new mugshot being released that shows the suspect sporting a slight smile.
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Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is the suspect who was arrested by authorities on the highway after allegedly camping out outside President Trump's West Palm Beach golf club for nearly 12 hours.
A U.S. Secret Service agent noticed a suspicious man hiding in bushes outside a fence along the course.
“In addition to the digital camera and two bags, investigators found a loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope whose serial number had been 'obliterated,' and black plastic bags containing what appeared to be Routh's food supplies waiting in the wooded area.” NBC News Reported.
Upon spotting the suspect, Secret Service agents opened fire, and Routh fled, jumping into his car and driving towards the highway. Further reports have emerged that an unidentified woman noticed his suspicious behaviour and wrote down his car's license plate number before calling the police. Perhaps this is why authorities were able to apprehend him so quickly.
Routh, who was standing over the fence with an AK-47 rifle, was fortunate not to be able to fire at Trump because he did not yet have Trump in his sights, only the agents guarding the former president.
According to arrest records, Routh, who currently resides in Hawaii, is married. The arrest records also state that Routh was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. He currently faces federal charges of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and possession of a firearm by a felon, with the possibility of more serious charges in the future.
State Attorney Dave Aronberg said Routh could face an additional charge of aggravated assault for pointing a rifle at a Secret Service agent and making threats against the former president.
“I believe this is a crime that deserves a life sentence, and if we don't use the full force of the law, we lower the bar for someone in the future who might try to do something similar,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Tuesday.
Routh is due to appear in court again later this month, with further details expected to be released next week.
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