Second Trump assassination attempt: Suspect Ryan Routh charged with weapons offenses

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday (September 15), was charged with two weapons offenses in federal court on Monday. The incident occurred on Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida. The former US president was unharmed.

A Reuters report said additional charges against Routh were likely, but the initial charges – possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number – would allow authorities to keep him in custody pending the investigation.

The Secret Service said its agents were accompanying Trump on the golf course when one of those in front of Trump, busy securing holes, discovered the barrel of a gun in some bushes near the property line.

Several agents attacked Routh and fired at least four shots at him.

The gunman then dropped his AK-47 rifle, two backpacks, a GoPro camera and other items and fled in a black Nissan. Routh was later arrested.

According to the criminal complaint, Routh has previous convictions in North Carolina on both counts: in 2002 for possession of a weapon of mass destruction and in 2010 for possession of stolen goods.

The attack on Trump came after he was shot at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, suffering a minor injury to his right ear. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

The Secret Service is under pressure following the two assassination attempts on Trump. The attack on July 13 led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

On Monday, President Joe Biden told reporters that the Secret Service needed more help.

Cheatle's successor, interim director Ronald Rowe, traveled to Florida after Sunday's attack, several news outlets reported. On July 30, Rowe told Congress he was “ashamed” of the security lapses in the earlier attack.

On Monday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that he would use “all available means” in the investigation into Sunday’s assassination attempt on Trump.

“We are grateful that the former president is safe. We will work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable and we will use every tool available in this investigation,” Garland said in a statement.

(With contributions from agencies)