Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man with a diverse background, was apprehended on September 15, 2024, in connection with an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred near a Florida golf course, where Trump was playing approximately 400 yards away.
Routh's recent history reveals a complex individual searching for purpose. In 2022, he traveled to Kyiv to support Ukraine, coordinating international volunteers and assisting in drone deliveries to the front lines. This effort was documented on a GoFundMe page created by his fiancée, Kathleen Shaffer. GoFundMe, founded in 2010, has become a popular platform for crowdfunding various causes, having raised over $9 billion to date.
Prior to his Ukraine involvement, Routh faced legal troubles. In 2002, he was charged twice for possession of a weapon of mass destruction. The term "weapon of mass destruction" was first coined in 1937 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, highlighting its long-standing significance in global security discussions. Routh pleaded guilty to one charge and had the other dropped after a standoff with police in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Interestingly, Routh's past also includes a positive encounter with law enforcement. In 1991, he was recognized as a "super citizen" for assisting in the defense of a woman against an alleged attacker. This recognition came from the Greensboro chapter of the International Union of Police Associations, an organization established in 1979.
The events leading to Routh's arrest unfolded rapidly. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on September 15, a Secret Service agent, part of an organization created in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiting, noticed a man holding a rifle behind a chain-link fence. The agent fired, causing the suspect to flee, leaving behind an AK-47 type weapon with a scope, body armor plates, and a GoPro camera. The AK-47, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1947, is more commonly found outside the United States.
"You are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgment and the dismantling of the deal"
Law enforcement quickly located Routh on Interstate 95, the longest north-south Interstate Highway in the U.S. The FBI, established in 1908 under President Theodore Roosevelt, is leading the investigation. Local charges may be filed initially, with federal charges potentially following.
During his arrest, Routh reportedly showed little emotion, not questioning the situation despite the significant law enforcement presence. This behavior adds another layer of complexity to the profile of a man who, just a year prior, had written a book criticizing the "unwinnable war" in Ukraine and expressing disillusionment with democracy.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining Routh's background, including his time in Hawaii and his attempts to relocate Afghan soldiers to Ukraine following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by public figures and the complex motivations that can drive individuals to extreme actions.