President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt a year ago in a shock to the nation. And just months later, another man was arrested in an apparent second assassination attempt against the then-presidential candidate.
On July 13, 2024, Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a shooter on a nearby roof opened fire, hitting Trump in the ear and killing one attendee. The shooter, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents.
Then, on Sept. 15, 2024, Trump was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Secret Service officers spotted a rifle poking through the fenced perimeter of the course. The agents fired at the suspect, identified as Ryan Routh, and chased after him.
What happened to him? Here is the latest update:
More: Pa. congressman continues seeking answers to Trump assassination attempt a year later
What happened during the September 2024 Trump assassination attempt?
On Sept. 15, 2024, authorities said a man stuck the barrel of a rifle through the fence at the edge of the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida, while the then-presidential candidate was golfing. Secret Service agents on the course spotted the weapon and opened fire on the man, who fled.
At the scene of the apparent assassination attempt, officials found the rifle, a black backpack and a bag containing ceramic tile, and a GoPro camera.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office officials on Sept. 15 stopped Routh about 41 miles from the golf course after he was accused in the assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Suspect awaits trial in assassination attempt case
Routh was charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a Secret Service federal officer. He also faces a state attempted murder charge in connection with a vehicle crash that happened during the pursuit of Routh from Palm Beach County into Martin County that injured a 6-year-old girl.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and remains detained ahead of trial, federal prison records show.
The trial date for Ryan Routh was set for Sept. 8, 2025, by Judge Aileen Cannon. The trial is scheduled to last two weeks in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Who is Ryan Routh, the suspect in Trump’s second assassination attempt?
Ryan Routh, 59, is the suspect in the Sept. 15, 2024 attempted assassination on Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
State voting records show Routh casting ballots in general and municipal elections going back many cycles, including 2008 and 2012 − though not in 2016, when Trump first ran. Records suggest he is not affiliated with a party.
The same records show Routh voted most recently in the March 2024 primary election in Guilford County, North Carolina. He voted Democratic.
Routh was an impassioned supporter of Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion, based on his social media posts.
In spring 2022, Routh suggested in a series of X posts that he had traveled to Ukraine to fight on behalf of the beleaguered country. In one, he tweeted at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s account, telling him, “I am an American coming to fight with you in Ukraine; I am flying into Krakow and will take any transport to Kyiv to meet you and fight to the death … We must get every civilian in the world to come and join the fight; I will be the example. Attack moscow now.”
Contributing: Bart Jansen, Gianna Montesano, Olivia Franklin, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Ryan Routh? Assassination attempt suspect awaits trial
