A man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump has a history of disdain for "ungrateful, selfish, rich people" and a troubled past in Hawaii.
According to Daily Mail Online, Ryan Routh, 58, is currently in a Florida jail facing gun charges after an incident near Trump's golf course in Palm Beach. As part of their investigation, the FBI recently raided Routh's home in Ka'a'awa, Hawaii.
Routh's criminal history spans multiple states, with over 100 counts in North Carolina alone. His charges range from felony larceny to brandishing a weapon of mass destruction. Despite this extensive record, Routh never served prison time.
Routh's recent past includes a failed business deal that led to a revealing email exchange. In 2023, he allegedly took $3,600 from a customer for a trailer conversion project that was never completed.
In response to complaints about his work, Routh sent an email boasting about his time in Ukraine and Taiwan. He expressed frustration with what he called "ungrateful, selfish rich people" and claimed to have spent thousands supporting global causes.
The customer, Saili Levi, described his interaction with Routh:
I had initially paid him to build me a shop for my business, and instead of fixing the problem or giving me my money, he decided to do none of that and just sent me a nasty email.
The FBI's raid on Routh's Hawaii home was conducted under a sealed warrant from Florida. This action shocked his quiet neighborhood in Ka'a'awa, where many residents were unaware of his criminal history.
Routh relocated to Hawaii from North Carolina in 2018 with his family. Since then, he has had several run-ins with local law enforcement, primarily for traffic violations. These incidents resulted in unpaid fines and restrictions on his driver's license.
Neighbor Ethan Dinnan expressed surprise at the recent events:
I haven't seen him for at least a month and I haven't seen his fiancée either. It's been crazy since this happened – people coming and going constantly. It's usually so quiet.
Routh was arrested on September 17, 2024, after fleeing Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach. A Secret Service agent reportedly spotted the muzzle of an AK-47 rifle through a fence near the golf course.
The incident occurred while Trump was present at the club, with the suspect allegedly positioned between 300 to 500 yards from the former president. Authorities recovered a backpack, a GoPro camera, and the rifle at the scene.
Routh now faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The case has drawn national attention due to its connection to the former president and the suspect's complex background.
In conclusion, Ryan Routh's arrest near Trump's golf course has uncovered a troubled past spanning multiple states. The FBI's investigation continues as authorities piece together the suspect's motives and actions leading up to the incident. The case highlights ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile political figures and the challenges of preventing potential threats.