Crime
58-year-old Ryan Routh charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Ryan Wesley Routh with the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. They allege Routh camped outside Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course for hours, armed with a rifle that he aimed through a chain-link fence, with a clear shot at the former president as he approached the next hole on September 15.
Prosecutors told a federal magistrate that Routh had been “stalking” Trump in Florida for over a month. Cell phone data allegedly placed him at both the golf course and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence on several occasions between August 18 and the day of his arrest. Initially, Routh was charged with two firearm-related offenses, including obliterating a gun’s serial number and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, while investigators continued their probe.
Court documents revealed that Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who previously oversaw and dismissed the classified documents case against the former president, has been randomly assigned to this case.
At a press conference announcing an unrelated antitrust lawsuit against Visa, Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the incident, saying, “The attempted assassination of the former president is a heinous act. I am grateful that he is safe, and the Justice Department will use every resource to ensure accountability.”
Garland noted that investigators had recently uncovered additional information about the alleged assassination attempt, which was entered into the court record during Routh’s detention hearing. He also responded to a statement Trump posted, in which the former president criticized the federal investigation and called for Florida to take over the case. Garland clarified that the Justice Department would work with Florida officials “consistent with the law” to ensure justice is served.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.