Mon Sep 16 18:55:49 UTC 2024: ## Suspect in Apparent Trump Assassination Attempt Had History of Crime and Fixation on Ukraine War

**West Palm Beach, Florida** – A man with a lengthy criminal record and recent obsession with the Russia-Ukraine war, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested on Sunday in connection with what the FBI is calling an apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

The incident occurred at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. A U.S. Secret Service agent spotted an AK-style rifle sticking out of a fence, with Routh hiding in the bushes some 300 to 500 yards away. Though it’s unclear whether Routh fired any shots, the agent opened fire on him, prompting Routh to flee in a black Nissan. He was apprehended shortly after.

Routh, a 58-year-old former construction worker, has been charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He has a history of run-ins with the law dating back to the early 2000s, including a 2002 conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction.

In recent years, Routh has become increasingly vocal about the war in Ukraine, expressing strong support for the country and even traveling to Kyiv in 2022 in an attempt to join the fight. He also attempted to recruit foreign fighters, particularly Afghan soldiers, to aid Ukraine.

Despite his apparent support for Ukraine, Routh has been a vocal critic of former President Trump since 2020, blaming him for the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and expressing disappointment with his presidency.

Routh’s sons have expressed surprise and disbelief at the attempted assassination, describing him as a loving father and hardworking man who is not a violent person. They attributed his actions to his frustration with the political climate and his strong feelings about the Ukraine war.

The incident has sparked international condemnation, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeting that “political violence has no place anywhere in the world.” The Kremlin, on the other hand, has suggested the incident is a consequence of the US’s support for Ukraine.

Routh remains in custody and is scheduled for arraignment on September 30. The FBI is continuing its investigation into the incident.

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