Ryan Routh, the gunman who attempted to kill former US president Donald Trump near his golf course in Florida has been charged with ‘attempted assassination’ by the prosecutors.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate violence that strikes at the heart of our democracy, and we will find and hold accountable those who perpetrate it. This must stop,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland, adding that he would “use every available tool” to hold Routh accountable.
Routh has been remanded in custody ahead of the trial. He already faces up to 20 years in prison on two gun-related charges but faces a maximum life sentence if convicted on the new, more serious charge.
The indictment stated that Routh “did forcibly assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere” with a Secret Service special agent. He will return to court for another hearing next Monday (Sep 30), where he is expected to enter a plea deal.
The case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who earlier this year dismissed a criminal case accusing the Republican leader of illegally keeping classified documents after leaving office.
Chilling letter
The decision to charge Routh comes a day after a chilling letter was unveiled that he had written to an unnamed witness, months before the attack on Trump.
In the pre-written letter, addressed to “The World” Routh pre-empted a failed assassination attempt on the Republican leader.
“I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job,” the letter read.
Trump “ended relations with Iran like a child and now the Middle East has unravelled,” the letter added.
Four rounds were fired at Routh
The Secret Service said its agents were accompanying Trump on the golf course when one who was securing holes ahead of Trump spotted a gun barrel in some bushes near the property line.
Multiple agents engaged Routh and fired at least four rounds at him.
The gunman then dropped his AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks, a GoPro camera and other items and fled in a black Nissan car. Routh was later taken into custody.
Trump blames Democrats for shooting
Talking to the media after the incident, Trump blamed the Democrats and said their rhetoric had caused the repeated shootings against him.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you,” it added.
It was the second attempt on his life after a shooter nearly took him out during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania.
(With inputs from agencies)
