In a concerning incident over the weekend, Ryan Routh, 58, has been charged in connection with an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Florida’s Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg emphasized that Routh is in serious legal jeopardy and faces a “world of hurt.”
The charges stem from a situation where Routh was allegedly spotted aiming a rifle through a fence at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was golfing at the time. Luckily, Trump emerged unharmed, with no other injuries reported.
Authorities revealed that Routh was approximately 500 yards from the former president when a Secret Service agent intervened, leading Routh to flee the scene before being apprehended in a neighboring county.
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During a CNN interview, Aronberg asserted that Routh’s charges are robust and likely to hold through trial, stating, “More charges could be forthcoming” as investigations continue. He emphasized that Routh poses a threat to public safety, which means he will not be granted pretrial release.
Guilford County Sheriff’s Office via AP
Under Florida law, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a second-degree felony, potentially leading to a 15-year prison sentence. Additionally, having a firearm with an altered serial number is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years.
Routh made his initial court appearance on Monday, arriving in shackles and reportedly remaining mostly silent. Aronberg noted that Routh is expected to plead not guilty and hinted that a plea deal could be possible in the future, although it would likely involve considerable prison time. “His extensive criminal history and the severity of these alleged offenses will weigh heavily in sentencing,” Aronberg concluded.
In a livestreamed interview, Trump described Routh as a “dangerous person,” asserting that such individuals should not be allowed to remain free.
Update 09/16/24, 11:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with further comments from Aronberg.