Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt for the second time in two months. The FBI has arrested a man whom the US media has identified as Ryan Wesley Routh. What do we know about this suspect?
“I'm fine. No one was hurt. Thank God.” With this message sent by his teams, Donald Trump wanted to reassure his supporters after being the victim of an assassination attempt for the second time in two months. A man tried to target the Republican candidate for the White House.
This man allegedly pointed an AK-47 rifle through the fence of Donald Trump's property in Palm Beach, Florida. The elite police opened fire in his direction, forcing the suspect to flee. He was finally able to be arrested 1h30 later. Near Donald Trump's golf course, investigators found an AK-47 rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera.
A 58-year-old man
More media like CNN, The Washington Post And The New York Times reveals the identity of the suspect: his name is Ryan Wesley Routh. He is a 58-year-old white male. He has lived in Hawaii for the past few years. He is a father. His son, Oran Routh, described him on CNN as “a loving and caring father.”
Already known to the police
American police already know the suspect. In 2022, he was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction. In 2003, he was convicted of driving without a license, carrying a concealed weapon and hit and run. In 2010, this time, he was convicted of possession of stolen property.
Trump voter in 2016
Ryan Wesley Routh regularly posts articles on politics and current events on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). He sometimes criticizes Donald Trump. A 2020 tweet indicates that he voted for Donald Trump in 2016. After that, he appears to have become disenchanted with the Republican. In recent years, Ryan Wesley Routh has shown his preference for other Republican candidates for the White House. His social networks have been inaccessible since last night.
A defender of Ukraine
Also on his social media, Ryan Wesley Routh regularly shows his support for Ukraine against Russia. The man went to Kiev in 2022. He introduced himself as “a recruiter” for an international legion in an interview Newsweek Romania in June 2022. Interviewed by Agence France Presse in May 2022, this American citizen stated: “Putin is a terrorist and we must put an end to him. Therefore, we need everyone, all over the world, to stop what they “did and come”. here now'.
Under investigation for attempted murder
Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested 1:30 a.m. after the incident. He is currently being questioned by the FBI. An investigation is opened for “an alleged assassination attempt”.