The suspect who attempted to assassinate former United States president Donald Trump was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh. The 58-year-old man fired several shots in an attempt to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate while he was golfing on his course in Flordia.
This is the second bid on Trump's life in two months.
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The incident took place on Sunday at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The gunman had dropped the weapon when the Secret Service agents opened fire at him. Though he tried to flee away from the scene, he was stopped by the sheriff's deputies in Martin County on Interstate 95 and took him to custody. FBI recovered the weapon, an AK 47-style firearm, used for shooting as well.
The authorities are yet to give out more information on the suspect. While the US media widely reported the suspect as Routh.
Routh from North Carolina was charged and convicted of numerous felony charges including hit-and-run, and possession of stolen property.
1. Routh took an intense interest in the Ukraine war. He seemed to be very affected by the war and claimed that he had visited Kyiv to evaluate the situation and be helpful. Routh had taken part in several rallies held in the US seeking more international aid for civilians in Kyiv.
2. In an earlier interview with Newsweek Romania, Routh had expressed his initial goal was to "come and fight in Ukraine." He had also attempted to recruit foreign fighters for the war effort.
3. Rough was described as a ‘hyper-focused’ guy by a humanitarian aid worker, who had met him on various occasions. He told BBC that Routh’s focus on the Ukraine war was becoming “unhealthy”.
4. Routh’s former neighbour Kim Mungo claimed that federal agents had “raided” Routh’s property before. Mungo also alleged that Rough used guns before. Meanwhile, his son Oran Routh described him as a “loving and caring father.”
5. Routh’s posts on social media widely suggest that he is pro-democrat. On X in 2020, Routh expressed his support for Democratic US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and mocked Biden as "sleepy Joe".