FBI has disclosed that Ryan Wesley Routh, the alleged gunman in the second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, never fired his weapon and failed to establish a direct line of sight to Trump before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement officials in Palm Beach, Florida, revealed the bombshell information one day after the attempted attack.
Routh, a 58-year-old convicted felon, has been on the FBI’s radar since 2019. At a press conference on Monday, officials confirmed they had received a tip about Routh’s possession of a firearm, though the tipster never provided a confirmation. The would-be assassin left behind key evidence, including a loaded SKS rifle, two bags, a digital video camera, and bulletproof body armor, at Trump’s golf club.
FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Veltri stated that no evidence suggests Routh acted with anyone else in the present incident. Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe further confirmed that Routh did not fire any shots or harm any agents during the incident.
Routh fled the scene in a stolen black Nissan SUV but was arrested 50 miles away after a witness provided law enforcement with the vehicle’s license plate number. Investigators have since interviewed seven witnesses and are treating the incident as the second assassination attempt against Trump within two months.
This latest attempt comes after a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot in the ear, prompting the U.S. Secret Service to overhaul its security protocols. Acting Director Ronald Rowe emphasized the need for a proactive, readiness-based approach moving forward, citing potential geopolitical events that could escalate U.S. Secret Service responsibilities.
Routh appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. His rap sheet includes prior offenses in North Carolina, such as weapons law violations and making terrorist threats, as well as a past standoff with law enforcement. It remains unclear where Routh acquired the SKS rifle, which is not legally available for purchase in Florida.
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