Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old man from Kaaawa, Hawaii, was arrested after allegedly stalking and attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump with an AK-47-style rifle while he was golfing in West Palm Beach. Routh, who had a varied online presence, expressed political views that ranged from left to right, supporting politicians like Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, and even Trump at one point. However, Routh’s opinions on Trump appeared to have soured over time, leading him to express support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Routh, who described himself as a builder of housing for the homeless in Hawaii, also made efforts to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend against Russia. In his self-published book, “Ukraine’s Unwinnable War,” he criticized Trump and even urged Iran to assassinate him. Additionally, he was involved in various online activities related to conflicts in different parts of the world, including Ukraine, but never served in the Ukrainian army despite contacting organizations with unconventional proposals.
Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Routh had a history of run-ins with the law, including felony convictions for possessing a weapon of mass destruction in 2002 and possession of stolen goods in 2010. Despite these convictions, Routh managed to avoid prison time through probation or suspended sentences. It remains unclear how Routh acquired the weapon he used in the alleged assassination attempt, as felons are generally prohibited from owning firearms in most states.
In recent years, Routh had relocated to Hawaii to start a business with his son building small wooden sheds aimed at addressing homelessness in the state. While neighbors described Routh as respectful and kind, his arrest has shocked those who knew him. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the incident, with Routh facing serious charges related to the attempted assassination.
