An undated profile photo of Ryan W. Routh, the suspect identified by news organizations as the FBI investigates what they say was an apparent assassination attempt in Florida on Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump, is seen in this image obtained from social media.
Social Media | via Reuters
The suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was charged Monday with two federal weapons offenses.
The man, Ryan Wesley Roth, 58, faces charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Click here to read the full criminal complaint against Roth.
The charges were revealed during Roth's first appearance in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday morning.
Roth, who appeared before Judge Rion McCabe in shackles and dark blue prison clothes, appeared unfazed and unconcerned as he sat with his public defender, NBC reported.
The suspect is scheduled to return to court next Monday, September 23, for a bail hearing.
Roth was arrested Sunday after Secret Service agents opened fire near Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach while the Republican candidate was playing a round.
In a criminal complaint unsealed after Roth appeared in court, an FBI special agent said a member of Trump's security detail was walking the perimeter of the stadium when he noticed a gun protruding from the tree line at about 1:31 p.m. ET.
The Secret Service agent fired at the gun, and a witness saw Routh flee the area and speed away in a Nissan SUV, according to the complaint.
In the wooded area where Routh fled, agents found a “loaded 7.62×39 SKS rifle with scope,” along with a digital camera, two bags and “a black plastic bag containing food,” according to the complaint.
The serial number on the gun is said to have been “erased and unreadable to the naked eye.”
Ruth was arrested in a neighboring county.
Criminal complaint filed against Ryan Roth, suspect in attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Courtesy of: United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
The Martin County Sheriff's Office is expected to release some body camera footage of Routh's arrest later Monday, according to NBC.
Trump was not injured. Social Truth In a post on Sunday evening, he wrote: “It's been an interesting day for sure!”
This incident may be the second assassination attempt against him within two months.
Trump's ear was struck by a bullet during an earlier assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July. The shooter in that attack, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed seconds after opening fire.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said in a statement Sunday that she was glad her Republican rival was safe, adding: “Violence has no place in America.”
President Joe Biden told reporters outside the White House Monday morning that the Secret Service “needs more help.”
This is new news. Please check back for updates.
