A suspected gunman arrested near Donald Trump’s golf course in Florida had written a chilling note months earlier, detailing his intention to assassinate the former president. The court filing revealed that Ryan Routh, 58, is facing federal gun crime charges after a failed attempt on Trump’s life.
The pre-written letter, addressed to “The World”, indicated that Routh had made an effort to carry out the assassination and even offered a cash reward to anyone who could complete the job. The letter, along with ammunition, building materials, tools, and phones, was dropped off at the home of an unnamed witness before the incident.
Prosecutors argued for Routh’s continued pre-trial detention, citing the seriousness of the alleged assassination attempt. The court documents also revealed that Routh had been in the vicinity of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for nearly a month leading up to the incident.
Routh, originally from North Carolina and most recently living in Hawaii, had a history of legal issues, including charges for stolen goods. In 2022, he traveled to Ukraine in an unsuccessful attempt to recruit foreign soldiers for the country’s military following the invasion by Russian forces.
The hearing on Monday will determine whether Routh should remain in custody, with prosecutors labeling him as a flight risk and a danger to the community. Routh is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on 30 September, where he will enter a plea to the charges brought against him.
