Ryan Routh Charged With Attempted Assassination Of Donald Trump

The Department of Justice charged Ryan Routh with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday (September 24). He was also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer.

Routh was previously charged with two firearms offenses .

"Routh is charged with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, which strikes at the very heart of our democratic system," said FBI Director Christopher Wray . "The FBI is continuing our investigation into this alleged plot and will use the full weight and resources of the FBI to uncover and provide as much information as possible about what led to the events in West Palm Beach. In our country, we have to hold accountable people who resort to violence."

If convicted, Routh faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

On September 15, Secret Service agents opened fire on Routh after spotting a rifle barrel in the bushes near Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida, while the former president was golfing with businessman Steve Witkoff .

Routh fled the scene and was later apprehended during a traffic stop .