Footage released of suspect’s arrest in apparent Trump assassination attempt

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Video was released Monday of the arrest of the suspect in an apparent assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump amid his bid to return to the White House.

The bodycam footage released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office show security forces handcuffing Ryan Wesley Routh on Sunday, surrounded by multiple vehicles on an interstate highway in the southeastern state of Florida.

Routh was earlier charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. A detention hearing for Routh is scheduled for Sept. 23, followed by an arraignment on Sept. 30.

Although authorities have yet to announce a motive in the suspect’s actions, Trump on Monday blamed Vice President Kamala Harris’ rhetoric for the apparent assassination attempt.

"The Rhetoric, Lies, as exemplified by the false statements made by Comrade Kamala Harris during the rigged and highly partisan ABC Debate, and all of the ridiculous lawsuits specifically designed to inflict damage on Joe’s (President Joe Biden), then Kamala’s, Political Opponent, ME, has taken politics in our Country to a whole new level of Hatred, Abuse, and Distrust. Because of this Communist Left Rhetoric, the bullets are flying, and it will only get worse!” Trump said on Truth Social, his signature social media platform.

According to charging documents unsealed on Monday, Routh may have spent nearly 12 hours on Sunday near the area where he was spotted in the bushes along the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club, said CNN.

- Possible 2nd attempt on Trump since July

Trump was the target of what the FBI described as "an apparent assassination attempt" at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

Law enforcement officials in Florida said they apprehended the suspect after US Secret Service agents spotted him with an AK-47-style assault rifle outside Trump’s golf club.

The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, several US media outlets reported, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.

Routh previously told The New York Times that he traveled to Ukraine soon after the start of Russia’s war in February 2022 to encourage people to defend their country.

Biden said Monday that the Secret Service "needs more help" a day after the second apparent attempt to assassinate Trump.

In July, Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, was wounded during an attempted assassination at a campaign rally.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a lone 20-year-old gunman, opened fire on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania on July 13, grazing his right ear. Reports afterwards suggested that Trump had coincidentally turned his body when the gun was fired, perhaps averting a much more serious injury.

The gunman killed one spectator and seriously injured two others. After opening fire, Crooks was killed at the scene by an agent in Trump’s detail from the Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting current and former US presidents and vice presidents as well as prominent candidates for the posts.