WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A man suspected of attempting to kill former President Donald Trump was charged Monday with federal firearms crimes.
Ryan Wesley Routh is facing weapons charges despite being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number.
He appeared briefly in federal court in West Palm Beach.
As the investigation progresses and prosecutors seek to file charges, additional and more serious charges may be possible.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is the earlier AP story.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A man arrested in an alleged assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court Monday as the Justice Department prepared to make the charges public.
The man, identified by law enforcement as Ryan Wesley Routh, was scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate in West Palm Beach. Handcuffed and wearing a blue jumpsuit, Routh smiled as he spoke with his attorney and reviewed documents ahead of his initial appearance.
It is not yet clear what charges he will face.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, when Secret Service agents standing a few holes down from where Trump was playing spotted the barrel of an AK-style rifle poking through the brush along the course, about 400 yards away.
An officer fired, and Routh dropped the gun and fled in an SUV, leaving behind the firearm along with two backpacks, a rifle scope and a GoPro camera, authorities said. Routh was later apprehended by police in a neighboring county.
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Tucker, Durkin Richer and Long reported from Washington.
