Second Trump assassination attempt: Suspect Ryan Routh charged with gun crimes
File photo.
Fifty-eight-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday (Sept 15), was on Mondaycharged with two gun-related crimes in federal court. The incident happened atTrump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida. The former US president was unharmed.
A report by the news agency Reuters said that more charges against Routh appeared likely,but the initial counts—possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number—would allow authorities to keep him in custody as the investigation continued.
Four rounds were fired at Routh
The Secret Service said its agents were accompanyingTrumpon the golf course when one who was securing holes ahead ofTrumpspotted a gun barrel in some bushes near the property line.
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Multiple agents engaged Routh andfired at least four rounds at him.
The gunman then dropped his AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks, a GoPro camera and other items and fled in a black Nissan car. Routh was later taken into custody.
Routh has two prior convictions, both in North Carolina, according to the criminal complaint: a 2002 conviction for possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction and a 2010 conviction for possession of stolen goods.
The attempt onTrump's life came after he wasshot at a campaign rallyin Pennsylvania on July 13, sustaining a minor injury to his right ear. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service.
Secret Service under pressure
The Secret Service is under pressure following the two assassination attempts on Trump. The July 13 attempt on Trump's life led to the resignation of the agency's director,Kimberly Cheatle.
Also read |Second Trump assassination attempt: US President Joe Biden says Secret Service ‘needs more help’
Earlier on Monday, President Joe Biden told reporters that the Secret Service needed more help.
Cheatle's replacement, Acting Director Ronald Rowe, travelled to Florida after Sunday's assassination attempt, according to several news outlets. On July 30, Rowe toldCongress that he was "ashamed" of security lapses in the earlier attack.
US attorney general pledges exhaustive probe
On Monday,US Attorney General Merrick Garland vowedto deploy "every available resource" into the probe of Sunday's assassination attempt on Trump.
"We are grateful that the former president is safe.We will work tirelessly to ensure accountability, and we will bring every available resource to bear in this investigation," Garland said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)