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.
Crime
18-year-old Timothy Haynes killed in North Charleston shooting
His mother was found performing CPR on him, and officers detected a faint pulse.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred late Sunday night in North Charleston.
Timothy Haynes, 18, was pronounced dead at approximately 11:54 p.m. at the scene of the incident on Wales Court, according to Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.
The cause of death has been confirmed as a gunshot wound.
North Charleston Police responded to a call reporting gunfire and an unresponsive individual in the 4200 block of Wales Court. Upon arrival, officers discovered Haynes lying on the ground.
His mother was found performing CPR on him, and officers detected a faint pulse.
They continued life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but Haynes succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Authorities canvassed the area, seeking video surveillance and witnesses to gather further information.
The North Charleston Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the North Charleston Police Tip Line at 843-607-2076.
This is an ongoing investigation, and further updates will be provided as more details emerge.