Who is Ryan Wesley Routh, suspect in Trump assassination attempt?

Check out: Ros Atkins discussing the supposed assassination attempt on Trump.

The individual accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump is a strong advocate for Ukraine. However, he was turned away by the military and didn't manage to significantly aid in the fight.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who attended court on Monday, hails from North Carolina, where he has spent the majority of his life, although he has recently been residing in Hawaii.

He cast his vote for Trump in 2016 but eventually shifted his stance. He has since expressed support for and donated to other political figures.

Here are some additional details we have about him.

What Actions Did Routh Take?

He is believed to have traveled to the Trump International Golf Course in Florida on Sunday, carrying an SKS-style rifle. The FBI found the firearm along with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera in a densely vegetated area.

Authorities claim that Routh ran away from the scene after a Secret Service agent aimed his weapon at him upon noticing a rifle barrel sticking out from the bushes.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County reported that two officers observed Routh's car, a black Nissan, and trailed it for about 45 minutes.

Routh was pulled over on Interstate 95, a key roadway, and taken into custody.

He has been formally accused of federal gun-related crimes. The sworn statement indicates that Routh's phone was located near the designated area for a duration of 12 hours.

Photo credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office/Reuters

Authorities claim that Routh abandoned a firearm and some gear.

BBC Verify discovered several social media accounts associated with the name Routh.

Routh consistently promoted his efforts to support foreign fighters in going to Ukraine to fight against Russia.

Most of his organizing seems to have taken place in the United States rather than in Ukraine. In 2022, he was turned down by the country's International Legion because he didn't have any combat experience.

His profile also features messages supporting Palestine and Taiwan, as well as criticism of China. This includes claims about Chinese "biological warfare" and descriptions of the Covid-19 virus as a form of "attack."

In a post from 2020 on X, Routh mentioned that he had voted for Trump in 2016 but later became disappointed, saying, "I will be happy when you are no longer in office."

Routh also took to social media, encouraging President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris to visit the victims of the assassination attempt on Trump that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, back in July.

Photo credit: Martin County Sheriff's Office

Routh, in an image shared by the Martin County Sheriff's Office

His Political Affiliations Explained

Routh was listed as an independent voter in North Carolina, but according to state records, it seems he cast his vote in the latest Democratic primary held in March.

In 2019 and 2020, he made several modest contributions amounting to approximately $140 (£106) to ActBlue, a fundraising group for the Democratic Party, based on federal election records available online.

A photo from the Associated Press showed a truck parked outside Routh's home in Hawaii, featuring a Biden-Harris campaign sticker on its rear.

Previously, Routh supported candidates like Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who has since departed from the party and aligned herself with Trump. He also expressed his endorsement for former Republican presidential hopefuls Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley.

What Was Routh Doing In Ukraine?

Routh referred to himself as a "volunteer coordinator," but his desire to participate in combat never came to fruition.

The International Legion informed the BBC that Routh was "never involved with, connected to, or associated with" the legion in any way. One member referred to him as a disruptive figure who was "causing more problems than benefits."

In 2023, he shared with The New York Times that he aimed to enlist Afghan soldiers who had escaped from the Taliban.

A Facebook update from July stated: "Soldiers, I kindly ask that you refrain from calling me. We are currently working on getting Ukraine to accept Afghan soldiers and expect to have some updates in the next few months... I appreciate your patience."

In a self-published book released in February 2023, Routh expressed his dissatisfaction with how his contributions were acknowledged in Ukraine. "I have not witnessed even the slightest bit of gratitude or respect," he said.

In his book, Routh mentioned that he dedicated five months to Ukraine, where he was involved in different initiatives, including a drone development project. He asserts that his attempts were unsuccessful or were halted by government officials.

The book includes a part where he urges Iranian officials to consider assassinating Trump. He stated, "You have the freedom to eliminate Trump."

Does Routh Have A Criminal Record?

Documents indicate that Routh's legal troubles date back to the 1990s, encompassing a range of serious and minor offenses.

According to online records, he faced charges and was found guilty of several serious crimes in Guilford County, North Carolina, from 2002 to 2010.

In 2002, he faced charges for having a fully automatic machine gun, which court documents labeled as a "weapon of mass destruction."

In a separate event, documents indicate that he faced charges for minor offenses such as leaving the scene of an accident, evading law enforcement, and carrying a hidden weapon without a permit.

He is also accused of driving with a suspended license and having stolen items in his possession.

Former neighbor Kim Mungo refers to Routh as a "gentle soul" and mentioned that federal agents had previously conducted a raid on Routh's property.

She claimed that he had a lot of stolen items stored at his house and mentioned witnessing Routh and his family shooting guns outdoors.

Does Routh Have A Family?

Routh's oldest son, Oran, portrayed his dad as "a devoted and compassionate parent, as well as an honest and diligent individual."

He mentioned to CNN, "I'm not sure what exactly has gone on in Florida, and I really hope it's just been exaggerated. From what I've gathered, it doesn’t match the person I know to engage in any reckless or violent behavior."

Body camera video reveals the apprehension of a man believed to be involved in a threat against Trump.

Dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit, Routh appeared before a judge on Monday at the Palm Beach County courthouse close to Mar-a-Lago, facing charges related to firearms violations.

The charges did not mention anything about an attempt to kill Trump, although the FBI has stated that it is looking into the incident that occurred on Sunday as a potential assassination attempt.

It was uncertain if Routh discharged a firearm during the event.

"We can't confirm at the moment whether the individual had the opportunity to fire at our agents, but it's clear that our agents managed to confront the suspect," stated Rafael Barros from the Secret Service Miami Field Office.

He stated that actions were implemented following the earlier assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania and noted that "the level of threat is significant."

Agents from the Secret Service and Homeland Security have conducted a search at Routh's previous residence in Greensboro, North Carolina.

A hearing is planned for next Monday to decide if he should stay in jail. Prosecutors are requesting that he be kept in custody, arguing that he poses a flight risk and a threat to the community.