Who is Ryan Routh? Ukraine supporter arrested for allegedly shooting at Trump in Florida
PTC News Desk: Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old Democrat supporter, was arrested on Sunday following what the FBI described as an "apparent assassination attempt" on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The incident occurred at Trump’s golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, where Routh allegedly opened fire.
Routh, who has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine and its war efforts against Russia, previously stated in interviews that he had traveled to Kyiv to actively support the Ukrainian resistance. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, authorities recovered an AK-47-style assault rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera from the scene of the shooting.
NEW: Suspected would-be Trump assas*in was previously interviewed by Newsweek Romania, started crying during the interview as he begged people to "come fight."
Ryan Routh was arrested after an assas*ination attempt on Donald Trump.
In the video, Routh explained that he… pic.twitter.com/HsoexjL1yW — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 15, 2024
The arrest comes just two months after an earlier assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained a minor injury after being shot in the ear during a campaign rally.
Routh, a North Carolina resident with a long history of political activism and a criminal record, has been outspoken in his support for Ukraine, Democratic causes, and various political candidates since 2019. In a prior interview, Routh claimed that he traveled to Ukraine at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war to fight alongside Ukrainians. He emphasized that his work in Kyiv focused on recruiting volunteers to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces. "We need everyone here fighting... that’s why I’m in Kyiv," he had stated.
Routh’s political involvement extended to supporting candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, though both candidates eventually dropped out of the race. In a social media post, he urged them not to withdraw, writing, “You cannot quit. You must fight. Keep giving speeches and push all the way to Election Day, no matter the outcome. Never give up.”
Routh’s rhetoric against Trump had been strong for years. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) from April 22, he condemned the former president, declaring, “Democracy is on the ballot, and we cannot afford to lose,” echoing slogans frequently used by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He urged Biden to focus his reelection campaign on preserving democracy and freedom, accusing Trump of attempting to "enslave Americans under a master."
Routh attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and later moved to Hawaii in 2018. His arrest has sparked further investigation into his motivations and whether his actions were part of a broader political agenda. Authorities are continuing to explore any possible connections between Routh’s activism and his attempt on Trump’s life.
Also Read: Trump unharmed after shooting incident at Golf Course; AK-47 recovered from nearby bushes
- With inputs from agencies
