FORT PIERCE, FL—On September 23, a federal grand jury convicted Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, for the attempted assassination of then presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, on September 15, 2024, at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
On September 24, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued press release number 25-982 that included a copy of a five-count grand jury indictment by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. A copy of which may be found here.
routh Indictment
Ryan Routh was found guilty of the following offenses.
The attempted Assassination of a major presidential candidate
Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Assaulting a federal officer
A felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition
Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh, who pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against, now faces the maximum penalty of life in prison. His sentencing date is scheduled for December 18, 2025.
When the guilty verdict was read in court, Routh grabbed a pen and attempted to stab himself in the neck with it. U.S. Marshal’s immediately took custody of Routh, took his pen away, and placed him in shackles.
As of September 24, Routh was being housed in the medical unit of St. Lucie County Jail, located at 900 N Rock Rd, Fort Pierce, FL under suicide watch.
Routh’s young daughter, Sara Routh, was present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. She became emotional, while attempting to fight off the media, and leave. She was screaming obscenities in a dramatic exit.
Routh has an extensive criminal history. He reportedly was a resident on the island of Oahu in Hawaii at the time of his arrest. He lived in North Carolina prior to that where he was convicted of two felonies, one in December of 2002, and the other in March of 2010.
The prosecution provided 38 witnesses in the case. Routh represented himself. Reports indicate that he initially attempted to use his speaking time as a platform for political speech. The Judge shut that down immediately and only took talking points and evidence pertaining to the trial.
Then, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, Robert Fercano, provided witness testimony indicating that he was patrolling one hole ahead of Trump at the golf course when he spotted Routh pointing an AK-style rifle at Trump through the fence abutting the golf course. He reported his fear for his own life and the life of President Trump and opened fire at Routh. Routh fled the scene.
Investigating officers discovered a loaded SKS-style rifle fully equipped with a scope, and a magazine containing 19 additional rounds of ammunition. The safety was off and there was steel armor plates with a camera attached to the fence facing the sixth hole of the green all were found in Routh’s hiding place.
The FBI led this investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service.
Another witness testified in court that they saw Routh running across the road from the golf course at Mar-a-Lago and getting into a black Nissan Xterra. Routh was seen traveling northbound on I-95 which prompted a search by Martin County Sheriff’s deputies/Palm County Sheriff’s deputies.
Numerous burner phones were found in Routh’s Nissan Xterra along with a list of available flights flying out of Miami International Airport, and directions to the airport.
Cell phone records revealed that the burner phones accessed cell towers near Trump International/Mar-a-Lago.
Lastly, a handwritten note, signed by Routh was found in his vehicle that read, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you.”
