A man suspected of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump had previously alarmed several individuals with his erratic behavior during his time as a pro-Ukraine activist.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect apprehended in Florida after allegedly pointing a rifle at Trump's golf club, had a history of concerning actions that prompted warnings to U.S. authorities.
Routh's activities in Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion particularly raised red flags among those who encountered him. Chelsea Walsh, a nurse who met Routh in Kyiv, reported her concerns about his threatening behavior to a Customs and Border Protection officer in June 2022. Walsh described Routh as one of the most dangerous Americans she encountered during her time in Ukraine.
Walsh's interview with the Customs and Border Protection officer included a notebook listing individuals whose actions had alarmed her. Routh's name topped the list under the category of "Overall Predatory Behavior (or antisocial traits)."
The FBI also received a tip about Routh in 2019, which was unrelated to his activities in Ukraine. A tipster reported that Routh possessed a firearm despite being a felon, but the investigation was closed after the informant declined to verify the information.
Routh's behavior in Ukraine drew the attention of various aid groups and volunteers. Sarah Adams, a former CIA officer involved in coordinating volunteer efforts, described Routh as a known "fraudster" and "kind of a whack job" among the aid community.
During his time in Ukraine, Routh engaged in activities that raised suspicions among aid groups and volunteers. He claimed to be working with the Ukrainian government to recruit foreign fighters, a claim denied by Ukraine's International Legion.
Routh's actions included sending messages to Afghan soldiers, claiming he could secure their positions in the Ukrainian Army. These activities led to his expulsion from aid group communication channels and prompted reports to the State Department over concerns of potential human trafficking or immigration fraud.
Walsh recounted multiple encounters with Routh in Kyiv, during which he allegedly expressed desires to harm various world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. She also mentioned that Trump and President Biden were discussed, though she couldn't recall if specific threats were made against them.
Walsh stated that she filed an online report with the FBI and Interpol in 2023, outlining her concerns about Routh and others. However, she received no follow-up from either Customs or the FBI regarding her reports.
Following the recent incident involving Trump, Walsh contacted the FBI tip line again, providing a 22-minute account of her concerns about Routh. This renewed effort to alert authorities came in light of the alleged assassination attempt.
Other individuals who encountered Routh in Ukraine also noted his unusual behavior. A French man who met Routh in Kyiv recalled his expressions of anger towards Trump, particularly regarding Trump's perceived stance on Ukraine and Russia.
The suspect in the Trump shooting incident had a history of concerning behavior that prompted multiple warnings to U.S. authorities. Ryan Wesley Routh's activities in Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion raised alarm among aid workers and volunteers. Despite attempts to alert various agencies, including the FBI and Customs and Border Protection, about Routh's erratic behavior, it appears that no significant action was taken prior to the recent incident. The case highlights potential gaps in the handling of warnings about individuals deemed potentially dangerous by those who encounter them abroad.
