All indications are that he was trying to open fire on the former US president. However, the suspect arrested in the investigation into the alleged assassination attempt against Donald Trump “did not fire”, said on Monday the acting director of the Secret Service, responsible for protecting senior US political figures, Ronald Rowe.
“We have no information at this time that he acted with the help of anyone else,” said the FBI agent in charge of the investigation, Jeffrey Veltri, at a press conference at the West Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida (southeast).
Spotted by a Secret Service agent who saw that he was armed and opened fire on him, “the suspect, who had no line of sight to the former president, fled. He did not fire,” Rowe said. “The suspect did not even come close to firing a shot and we apprehended him and brought him to justice,” said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
Suspect charged with illegal possession of weapon
According to the findings from his phone’s location, he spent nearly 12 hours around Donald Trump’s golf club before being spotted. He initially fled, but the presence of an eyewitness, who sent a photo of his vehicle and license plate to the police, led to his rapid arrest.
Video“Alleged assassination attempt” against Donald Trump: who is the suspect arrested?
An SKS-type rifle with a scope, two backpacks and video recording equipment were found near where he had hidden, authorities said at a news conference.
Presented before a judge on Monday, Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old pro-Ukrainian American whom AFP had interviewed in 2022 in kyiv where he had gone to support the Ukrainian people, was served with charges of illegal possession of a weapon due to his criminal record and possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number.
In addition to these charges, which carry maximum sentences of 15 years and five years in prison respectively, he is expected to face other prosecutions. His next appearance, on his continued detention, has been set for September 23 and his formal arraignment a week later.
