The shooter who is said to have attempted to assassinate Republican candidate Donald Trump was once a supporter of the former president and has supported the Democratic Party in recent years, and was arrested in 2002 for possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Police have not released the suspect's name, but multiple media outlets have reported that the suspect is Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man who lives in North Carolina and Hawaii. According to Routh's social media history, he supported Trump in 2016, but in 2020 he supported Tulsi Gabbard, then a U.S. Representative from Hawaii, who was running for president as a Democrat. His social media in recent years has also included support for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
He previously endorsed 2024 Republican candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. Axios Routh is a vocal supporter of Ukraine and was considering volunteering for the military, the people said.
He registered as an unaffiliated voter in North Carolina in 2012. Associated Press Since 2019, he has reportedly made 19 political donations totaling $140 to the liberal group Act Blue, according to the Associated Press.
In 2002, Routh was indicted on charges of “possession of a weapon of mass destruction” – a “fully automatic machine gun.” Wired Reported.
NBC reported that more than 100 criminal charges have been filed against Routh in North Carolina over the past few years.
According to the AP, he and his son once ran a cabin-building business in Hawaii.
“I don't know what happened in Florida, but from what I've heard, I don't think the guy I know would do anything crazy or violent, so I hope it's just been exaggerated,” his son, Orlan Routh, told CNN.
Routh was reportedly hiding in bushes along Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when a Secret Service agent spotted him with a rifle protruding from a fence. The agent was at least one hole ahead of Trump and several hundred yards away from him. After agents opened fire, Routh fled but was eventually arrested in another county. Police found an “AK-47-style rifle” with a scope at the scene.
“Donald Trump has literally averted a crisis again!” Gregg Rolie“I truly believe that God extended a protective hand to our former president and I am so grateful for that,” the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California said on X (formerly Twitter).
Rowley called for a change in the national stance.
“Incendiary political rhetoric needs to be toned down and civility needs to be restored to public debate,” Rowley said. “Most importantly, let's pray for America to turn back to God, and let's pray for the worthy man to occupy the Oval Office, and that God bless all who hold elected office, whether we voted for them or not.”
Donald Trump has, once again, literally averted a crisis. I truly believe God extended a protective hand to our former president, and for that I am so grateful.
Incendiary political rhetoric needs to be toned down and civility needs to be restored in the public square…
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) September 16, 2024
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, also called for a change in public discourse.
“Americans should thank God that the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump ended without violence,” Mohler said. “This is a solemn moment for Americans. No society can survive a downturn in political violence. That's a point we must all now acknowledge.”
Americans should thank God that the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump ended without violence. This is a solemn moment for Americans. No society can survive after descending into political violence. This is something that all must now acknowledge.
—Albert Mohler (@albertmohler) September 16, 2024
World leaders also said they were grateful that Trump was safe.
“Sarah and I were shocked by the second assassination attempt on President Trump and are relieved to hear that this one also failed. However, we should not rely on luck,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “I send my heartfelt congratulations to Donald and Melania and hope that all measures will be taken to prevent such a deadly attack against a candidate for the presidency of the United States.”
Sarah and I were shocked by the second assassination attempt on President Trump and relieved to hear that it also failed, but we should not rely on luck.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 15, 2024
“Glad to hear that @realDonaldTrump is safe and unharmed,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “I wish him and his family the best of luck. It's good that the suspect in the assassination attempt was quickly arrested. This is our principle. The rule of law is paramount and political violence has no place anywhere in the world. We sincerely hope that everyone is safe.”
That's nice Donald Trump He is safe. I wish him and his family the best of luck. It is good that the suspect in the assassination attempt was arrested quickly. This is our principle. The rule of law is paramount and political violence has no place anywhere…
— Volodymyr Zelensky / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 16, 2024
Related Posts: President Trump survives second assassination attempt as gunman targets golf course
Photo credit: ©Instagram/Voices of Yonkers
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
