According to new reports, the individual who allegedly attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on a golf course in Florida on Sunday afternoon had a long criminal record as well as a history of political donations to Democrats.
Ryan Routh, 58, was apprehended by authorities after the Secret Service observed his AK-47-style rifle while he was concealed in a shrubbery at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach.
When federal law enforcement officials confronted him, he fled, entered a vehicle, and departed.
Fortunately, a witness captured a photograph of the vehicle and its license plate, which enabled the police to promptly apprehend the individual and bring him into custody.
Routh donated exclusively to Democrats from 2019-2020 while residing in Hawaii, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.
The small dollar donations, which were sent through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, were designated for the Democratic presidential candidates Beto O’Rourke, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer, Tulsi Gabbard, and Elizabeth Warren.
voting records indicate he's a 58-year old registered w/no party preference in North Carolina and previously lived in Hawaii. FEC records show some small contributions to the Tom Steyer, Andrew Yang, Elizabeth Warren, Tulsi Gabbard, and Beto O'Rourke 2020 presidential campaigns.… https://t.co/47S84keCU7 pic.twitter.com/DHOAVVRMq5
— Rob Pyers (@rpyers) September 15, 2024
Routh also reportedly encountered numerous legal issues during his residence in North Carolina.
Routh’s criminal history began in 2002 when he barricaded himself inside a business with a gun in Greensboro.
In 2002, he was also found guilty of possessing a fully automatic machine gun, which was classified as a weapon of mass destruction.
Following his conviction, it is probable that he would have been prohibited from possessing a firearm.
These records also indicate convictions for hit-and-run, possession of stolen property, and carrying a concealed weapon.
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