Who is Ryan Routh? Suspected Trump gunman was convicted of possessing weapon of mass destruction

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaii resident, has been identified as the alleged gunman in the apparent second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump on Sunday, September 15, reported Fox News.

The GOP nominee was playing the fifth hole at the Trump International Golf Club when Routh was spotted outside armed with an assault rifle and engaged by Secret Service agents.

The incident marked the second attempt on Trump's life in a span of about two months. Trump faced gunfire speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, back in July, where a bullet managed to graze his right ear.

The capture of Ryan Wesley Routh

Ryan Wesley Routh reportedly carried a scoped AK-47 rifle and was able to push its muzzle through the chainlink fence outside the golf club, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters at a press conference. He was 300 to 500 yards away from Trump, which Bradshaw noted that “with a rifle and scope, like, that is not a long distance.”

According to the New York Post, the suspect also set up a GoPro camera on the fence as a part of his sniper's nest with the apparent intent of recording the shooting.

Secret Service noticed the suspect and opened fire at around 1.30 pm ET. The gunman was able to flee the scene but was spotted by a witness who reported taking a picture of a black Nissan in which he drove off.

That helped law enforcement officials track Routh down and take him in custody while traveling north on I-95 toward Martin County. He was later identified by the said witness.

Ryan Wesley Routh spewed anti-Trump rhetoric online

The New York Post reported Ryan Wesley Routh has a long criminal history and frequently posted anti-Trump rhetoric over social media. He also exclusively donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019.

When President Joe Biden campaigned for his reelection in April, Routh bashed Trump in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose.”

The alleged gunman advised Biden to run a campaign around keeping “America democratic and free,” claiming that his Republican rival wanted to “make Americans slaves against master.”

"We cannot afford to fail," he wrote. “The world is counting on us to show the way.”

Addressing a rally in Savannah, Georgia, on August 29, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris stated, “We are fighting for our democracy.” On July 31, she noted that “our fundamental freedoms are on the ballot and so is our democracy,” while speaking at an event in Houston.

Tom Fitton, president of the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, reportedly told NYP, "It is no coincidence that Routh repeated Kamala’s and Joe’s extremist rhetoric against Trump. At this point it is inexcusable incitement."

Routh's social media accounts have been suspended by both X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

MAGA supporters blame Democrats over the incident

Netizens, especially conservatives took to X and blamed the left and the liberals for spewing hate that led to Sunday's incident.

"Democrats are trying to take Trump out and will stop at nothing," wrote one social media user.

"Liberalism is a mental illness," shared another.

"He's a lefty nut job. That's all they are. All of them are crazy," wrote one person.

"This guy was White Dudes for Harris incarnate," said one individual.

"Imagine that! Not a surprise! The left are the violent ones!!" another wrote.

"Late stage TDS is an awful disorder," noted one netizen.

"Liberal extremists are the number one threat to our Democracy," stated another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.