Suspect in Trump assassination attempt lay in wait for 12 hours
Ryan Routh was arrested after police stopped his car 50 miles from Trump’s golf course – AFP
The suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump spent almost 12 hours lying in wait for the former president at his golf course, according to court documents.
Ryan Wesley Routh took up position at the Trump International Golf Course in Florida just before 2am on Sunday, officials said, citing data from the 58-year-old’s mobile phone.
He camped at the spot, where he was concealed in the treeline, with food and an assault rifle until 1:31pm, when he was allegedly spotted by Trump’s security team and fled in a black Nissan without opening fire.
Routh was arrested on Sunday and appeared in court on Monday.
Less than 24 hours after he is thought to have made an attempt on the former US president’s life, Routh was seen smiling and laughing with his lawyer.
Moments later, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – a convicted felon – and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The first charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, while the latter offence carries up to five years. Both can result in a $250,000 fine.
Routh, dressed in navy blue overalls, appeared calm and collected throughout the hearing on Monday, which took less than 10 minutes.
He told the courtroom five at the Paul G Rogers federal courthouse that he earns $3,000 a month, has “zero” real estate, owns two trucks in Hawaii and has one dependant, his 25-year-old son.
Magistrate judge Ryon M McCabe set a pretrial detention hearing for next Monday, and an arraignment hearing for Monday Sep 30.
Routh could face further, more serious charges as the investigation continues and Justice Department prosecutors seek an indictment from a grand jury.
Ryan Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – Reuters
Routh was initially brought into the courtroom through a door to the right of the judge’s bench at just before 10am with three other defendants.
Minutes later, Routh, who was shackled, was removed. He re-entered the court at 10.35am and spoke intently with his lawyer, federal public defender Kristy Militello, as they reviewed court documents
His was the sixth and final case heard before Mr McCabe on Monday morning. He was sworn in at just after 10.46am, and the judge unsealed the criminal complaint.
Prosecutor Adam Craig McMichael argued that Routh should be detained ahead of his trial because he was a flight risk and posed a danger to the community.
Asked about his financial standing, Routh said his youngest son was a dependant. He said he had a job but requires “occasional support”.
When asked whether he had other possessions with value, such as jewellery, he replied: “No, nothing”. Court was adjourned at 10.55am, and Routh was escorted out.
Officials alleged on Monday that Routh had hidden in bushes surrounding Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach and pointed a gun with a scope at Trump, who was around 400 yards away.
It was the second apparent assassination attempt targeting Trump in three months. On July 13, a bullet grazed the former president’s ear when gunman Thomas Crooks fired a volley of bullets while he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
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