Authorities have identified the suspect who tried to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from Hawaii.
The Secret Service stated that one of their agents, securing the course ahead of Trump, noticed a gun barrel hidden in some bushes near the property. Agents engaged the gunman, firing at him at least four times. The gunman dropped his AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera and fled in a black Nissan.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed that a witness photographed the gunman’s car and license plate, providing crucial information to authorities. Shortly after, the suspect was apprehended by sheriff's deputies on Interstate 95 in nearby Martin County.
Social media profiles linked to Routh were quickly restricted following the incident. Posts on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts indicated strong support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Routh had previously contacted Elon Musk on X, asking to purchase a rocket to target Russian President Putin’s Black Sea residence.
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In 2023, The New York Times interviewed Routh for an article about Americans volunteering in Ukraine. He revealed his involvement in recruiting Afghan soldiers to support the cause. Despite his political activity, Routh’s family expressed shock at the situation.
Initially unaware of the incident, his son, Adam, later left work, citing a family emergency. Another son, Oran, described Routh as a loving father but declined further comment.
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