The 58-year-old suspect arrested for the attempted “assassination” of former US President Donald Trump near his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida was found to have a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on his pickup truck.
Ryan Wesley Routh was nabbed on September 15 after he reportedly pointed an AK-47-style rifle at Trump from a distance of some 300 to 500 yards, the New York Post reported. US Secret Service agents spotted him hiding in bushes and opened fire, prompting Routh to flee the scene.
Authorities recovered the rifle, a GoPro camera, and two backpacks at the scene. Witnesses provided crucial information that led to Routh’s capture on Interstate 95 shortly after the incident. Local police described Routh as having a calm demeanor during his arrest and noted that he did not inquire about the reason for his detention, the report said.
‘I AM SAFE AND WELL’
In a statement following the incident, Trump expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their swift response and reassured his supporters that he was safe. He remarked on social media, “I AM SAFE AND WELL!” This incident marks the second assassination attempt against Trump this election cycle; he was previously shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania in July.
Routh’s background includes a history of criminal charges and vocal support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. He had previously expressed a desire to fight in Ukraine and slammed Trump online. His political affiliations appear complex; he has shown support for Democratic candidates while also expressing frustration with Biden.
The FBI is currently investigating the incident as another assassination attempt on Trump. His life came under threat just two months after he was grazed in the right ear when a gunman fired on him at a campaign rally. That shooter was killed in return fire by security agents. Both incidents highlight the challenge of keeping presidential candidates safe in a febrile campaign, with just over seven weeks to go before the Nov. 5 election.
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