Ex-FBI official worrried about 'scary' possibility of Ryan Routh having information on Trump's movements
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Chris Swecker, a retired FBI assistant director has expressed concerns over the possibility that the alleged would-be assassin Ryan Wesley Routh targeting Donald Trump had inside information, calling the situation "scary."
Authorities are investigating the arrest of Routh who aimed at Donald Trump at a golf course in Florida with suspicions that the suspect may have been tipped off about Trump’s whereabouts.
Ryan Routh's arrest at West Palm Beach golf club
On Sunday, September 15, Ryan Routh, 58, was apprehended after agents of the Secret Service stationed a few holes ahead of Donald Trump spotted the muzzle of an AK-style rifle emerging from shrubbery at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The agents saw Routh with the weapon and a GoPro camera which appeared to be set up to record the attack against the Republican presidential candidate who was golfing at the time, according to authorities.
The alleged assassin was positioned between 300 and 500 yards away from Trump.
Chris Swecker questions how Ryan Routh knew Donald Trump would be at the golf course that day
Raising the critical question of how Ryan Routh knew Donald Trump would be at the golf course on September 15, Chris Swecker said, “The biggest question to answer is: ‘How did the would-be assassin know to be at that location at that time?’”
“There are only three possible answers: He guessed and got very lucky; he conducted surveillance on Trump and followed him to the golf course, or he had inside information about Trump’s schedule,” he told Newsweek.
What was Ryan Routh's motive behind the alleged attack against Donald Trump?
The officials stated that the FBI is leading the investigation and is working to determine a motive behind the planned attack.
According to authorities, Ryan Routh's social media activity echoed anti-Trump rhetoric and expressed concerns about threats to democracy.
“We know this suspect has posted about Trump being a danger to democracy,” said Swecker.
The alleged assassin has a history of run-ins with the law, including an hours-long standoff with police in 2002.
As per online records, he has been previously convicted of carrying a "weapon of mass destruction."
BREAKING: Donald Trump *was* the intended target of the shots fired at Trump International Golf Club according to CNN.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 15, 2024
Agents opened fire on a man who was at the Trump International Golf Course after they saw what appeared to be a gun according to the NYP.
"Officials believe… pic.twitter.com/06JKTXeMO6
Routh has also been involved in other strange activities, including traveling to Ukraine to attempt to recruit Afghan fighters, further suggesting his erratic behavior.
Investigators are continuing their probe to determine whether Routh acted alone or had external help for the alleged attack, and how exactly he came to know about Trump’s whereabouts on the day.
