Authorities said one suspect was in custody after an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course: 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who has a history of showing support for Ukraine, purportedly having participated in the conflict himself and attempting to recruit soldiers. He has told The New York Times and Newsweek Romania in interviews that he was in Ukraine last year and had headed the International Volunteer Center, a group of people who supported humanitarian operations inside the country.
Routh, who had been living in Hawaii with relatives, was a contractor working in North Carolina at the time. He has been previously arrested eight times, mostly on minor charges. In 2002, he was convicted for possessing a weapon of mass destruction when he held police at bay, reportedly over a fully automatic machine gun he possessed.
This self-proclaimed involvement in the Ukrainian war is further detailed on Routh's social media, framing the conflict as good against evil.
Suspect Apprehended in Attempted Assassination of Trump
A man, who police say attempted to shoot former President Donald Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, is in custody. Authorities identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, a white male in his mid-60s.
Routh is suspected of having been hiding near the perimeter of the golf course, with an AK-47-type rifle. He was caught when witnesses called police after hearing shots and described his truck.
Prior Conviction and Disturbing Social Media Posts
He had previously been in prison for the possession of a weapon of mass destruction and had taken to social media with some disturbing posts about Ukraine. Federal officials have now taken over the investigation into the attempted assassination.
Charges Forthcoming
Although prosecutors have not as yet specified charges, Routh is expected to be charged with domestic terrorism and weapons offenses.
Investigation Ongoing
The FBI said it would continue investigating, but it released few details of what it had learned so far and indicated more would come out in the days ahead.
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