Prosecutors charge Ryan Routh with attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Prosecutors have filed a charge of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate against Ryan Wesley Routh.
Routh is the suspect who camped outside of Donald Trump's West Palm Beach golf course on September 15, armed with a rifle allegedly intended for the former president.
Per CNN, prosecutors told a federal magistrate judge on Monday (September 23) that Routh allegedly 'stalked' Trump in Florida for over a month, with cell phone data allegedly showing that Routh was located at the golf course and Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence for several days between August 18 and the day he was arrested.
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The 58-year-old was initially charged with two gun-related offenses, including possessing a firearm while a convicted felon and obliteration of a firearm's serial number.
CNN reports that as investigations continued, Routh was also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, and the attempted assassination of Trump.
The outlet also reports that Judge Aileen Cannon has been appointed to oversee the case and that Routh's indictment claims he "did forcibly assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with 'Secret Service Special Agent #1,' an officer and employee of the United States."
Routh is scheduled to be arraigned next Monday.
Attorney General Merrick Garland shared at a news conference on Tuesday that 'the attempted assassination on the former president is a heinous act'.
"I am grateful that he is safe, and as I said immediately after the event, the Justice Department will spare no resource to ensure accountability," he continued.
Per CNN, Garland noted that information about the alleged assassination attempt was uncovered by investigators 'in the last few days' and was put into court records for Routh's detention hearing.
He also addressed a statement released by Trump on Monday denouncing the federal government's handling of Routh's case and insisting to 'LET FLORIDA HANDLE THE CASE!'.
Garland clarified that the Justice Department will 'seek to cooperate and get assistance' from Florida state officials that is 'consistent with the law.'
On the day of the attempted assassination, Trump was playing golf on the course when a Secret Service agent spotted a gun barrel poking out from a tree line near the sixth green, per ABC News.
The agent proceeded to fire in the direction of the rifle and saw Routh fleeing the area and entering a nearby vehicle the outlet reports.
Following Routh's arrest, agents found a digital camera, two bags, and a loaded SKS-style 7.62x39 caliber rifle with a scope.
Trump was not harmed and was taken to a safe location by Secret Service agents.
Topics: Donald Trump
Yasmeen Hamadeh