Media reports reveal a thwarted assassination attempt on Donald Trump, with the suspect reportedly fixated on Ukraine and its ongoing conflict.
Multiple media reports citing anonymous law enforcement sources have identified Ryan Wesley Routh as the man behind a failed assassination attempt against Donald Trump at his Florida golf club. However, authorities have not confirmed the suspect’s identity officially yet.
On Sunday afternoon, the prior American leader and Republican contender experienced an event while playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Analysis suggests a member of Secret Service perceived a muzzle protruding from the resort’s enclosure and discharged multiple shots towards danger. The perpetrator departed hastily after abandoning an AK-style firearm equipped with sight apparatus alongside a GoPro camera; however, authorities subsequently apprehended them.
During a press conference, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder remarked that the individual appeared to be fairly unemotional and never inquired about the situation by asking “What is this about?”
According to reports, the authorities apprehended the suspect who appeared to be relatively composed. A photo of him taken right after his arrest was acquired by Fox News while New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz shared another image of him being extracted from his vehicle.
Although authorities have not officially confirmed the man’s identity and motive, according to sources from law enforcement agencies such as AP, CNN, and Fox News, the name of the apprehended individual is Ryan Wesley Routh.
According to analyses of his social media accounts prior to their removal, US media and internet users have reported that a man bearing the same name displayed unwavering support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Moscow.
John Miller, the chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst at CNN, reported that Routh’s social media profiles were abundant with posts where he proclaimed his involvement in the Ukraine conflict and tried to enroll soldiers for fighting against Russia.
CNN reported that Routh expressed unwavering backing for Kiev in numerous 2022 posts, many of which were senseless. He asserted his readiness to defend and sacrifice himself for Ukraine, while proclaiming that “we must destroy the Kremlin.”
According to NYPost, the individual wrote a message to Elon Musk expressing their desire to purchase a rocket and load it with a warhead in order to target Putin’s Black Sea mansion bunker for his demise.
During 2022, Routh resided in Kiev for many months and shared with the New York Times his endeavors of recruiting former Afghan soldiers to participate in combatting Ukraine. He also conversed with Newsweek about his efforts towards soliciting volunteers for the International Legion Defense of Ukraine.
Routh often lambasted politicians – including former President Trump and current President Joe Biden, while promoting his philanthropic endeavors and supporting left-leaning pursuits as reported by the New York Post.
“According to Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, once the suspect’s identity is confirmed, it will be evident that he has an overwhelming preoccupation with the Ukraine war. This conflict is supposedly being financed by the United States.”
Edward Snowden, the whistleblower from NSA, has raised doubts about US intelligence agencies’ interaction with the suspected shooter. He highlighted the perpetrator’s purported links with Ukraine and open advocacy for Kiev to support his query.
“We currently have limited knowledge, but considering the Trump shooter’s reported involvement in military operations in Ukraine both publicly and personally, it is difficult to believe that this administration can maintain they had no contact – ‘clean hands’. The situation seems reminiscent of Oswald. Congress must demand answers,” Snowden stated on X.
Donald Trump Jr. referred to the alleged attempted shooter as a “psychopath” and suggested that they likely consume significant amounts of left-wing media content. Meanwhile, President Trump did not comment on the incident publicly.
