Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump Stalked Former President for a Month Before Arrest
The alleged attempt to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a chilling turn with federal prosecutors revealing that Ryan Routh, the accused, stalked Trump for a month before his arrest outside of the ex-president’s Florida golf course. In a new court filing, prosecutors detail how Routh traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, on August 14th, and his cell phone accessed cell towers near Trump International and Mar-a-Lago on multiple dates between August 18th and September 15th. This revelation paints a disturbing picture of Routh’s deliberate and calculated actions leading up to his arrest.
Key Takeaways:
- Routh stalked Trump for a month before his arrest.
- Prosecutors are calling Routh’s actions "an assassination attempt".
- The attempt occurred at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
- Routh is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
- Routh left a handwritten letter addressed to "The World" confessing to the failed attempt.
A Month of Calculated Actions
The court filing paints a disturbing picture of Routh’s alleged actions. After traveling to West Palm Beach, he repeatedly targeted locations where Trump was known to be present, his cell phone records showing him constantly in proximity to Trump’s golf course and residence. The filing further reveals that Routh’s intent was to kill Trump, with his possession of firearms and the handwritten letter confessing to the failed attempt providing strong evidence of his murderous intent.
The Evidence: A Handwritten Confession and More
Prosecutors revealed several pieces of evidence pointing to Routh’s alleged plot. A witness opened a box containing "ammunition, a metal pipe, miscellaneous building materials, tools, four phones, and various letters" that Routh had dropped off months before his arrest. One handwritten letter, addressed to "The World," confessed to the failed attempt, stating, "’This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,’ [and] ‘I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.’"
Additional evidence discovered during the investigation includes:
- Plates capable of stopping small arms fire: These were found in a backpack and shopping bag linked to Routh, suggesting preparation for potential gunfire.
- Two additional license plates: Two license plates were discovered in the Nissan Xterra Routh used, raising questions about possible attempts to conceal his presence.
- Six cellphones: One of the six cell phones found contained a Google search of how to travel from Palm Beach County to Mexico, potentially suggesting a planned escape route.
- Handwritten list of dates and venues: A handwritten list of dates and venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to be present was also found, demonstrating a clear plan to target the former president.
These discoveries paint a chilling picture of Routh’s alleged intent and preparation for carrying out the assassination attempt.
The Security Lapse and the Aftermath
This incident raises questions about the security measures in place to protect former presidents and the potential loopholes that may have allowed Routh to approach Trump in the first place. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting former presidents, and the investigation will likely focus on how Routh managed to get close to Trump’s property.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage. The legal proceedings are currently underway, with Routh scheduled to make a court appearance on Monday. His lawyers have yet to issue any statement regarding the accusations against him.
The investigation continues, and officials are likely to conduct a thorough examination of Routh’s background, motives, and every aspect of his actions leading up to the alleged attempted assassination.
This is a developing story, and further information will continue to come to light as investigations progress. The attempted assassination of a former president, along with the meticulous planning and preparation revealed through evidence, highlights the seriousness of the threat and the importance of strengthening security protocols around former presidents and other high-profile individuals.
