BREAKING!! TRUMP HAS BEEN SHOT
- Thread starter B00Mer
- Start date
I don't want to go if they are there. I'd rather haunt a park bench or an A&W.
RIP Charlie. I was actually watching one of his videos when the news came. I'm devastated because he was one of the most sane people I have ever heard speak. I loved the idea of him going out & speaking to the youth, asking those who disagreed with him to come to the front of the line. He was a courageous man who was kind, compassionate & a calm presenter of what he felt was the truth. He'll be missed.U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and a suspect was in custody.
Kirk, 31, is an influential ally of President Donald Trump and co-founder of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the country. He was taken to a hospital, Fox News reported.
"Charlie Kirk has been shot at Utah Valley University. Condition unknown," a Kirk spokesperson told the network.
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot at Utah university event — Reuters
U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University and a suspect was taken into custody.apple.news
Cellphone video clips of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk addressing a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack that sounded like a gunshot rang out. Kirk can be seen briefly moving his hand to his neck as he falls off his chair, sending the attendees running.
"A shot was fired from a nearby building and we have a suspect in custody," a university spokesperson told Reuters in an email.
Jury selected in trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 10, 2025 • 1 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, left, making his statement to the jury as prospective jurors hold up paddles indicating that they want to be heard to be excused during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, left, making his statement to the jury as prospective jurors hold up paddles indicating that they want to be heard to be excused during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A jury was selected Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump while he played golf last year in South Florida.
The panel of 12 jurors and four alternates was sworn in on the third day of jury selection at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida. The jury has four white men, one Black man, six white women, and one Black woman. The alternates are two white men and two white women. The panel was selected from a pool of 180 potential jurors.
Opening statements are set to begin Thursday morning, and the trial is expected to run another two or three weeks.
Ryan Routh’s trial begins nearly a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted Routh’s attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Routh is representing himself after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon agreed to let him dismiss his court-appointed attorneys. They are, however, standing by in the courtroom if needed.
Prosecutors have said Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived another attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 10, 2025 • 1 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, left, making his statement to the jury as prospective jurors hold up paddles indicating that they want to be heard to be excused during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, left, making his statement to the jury as prospective jurors hold up paddles indicating that they want to be heard to be excused during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A jury was selected Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump while he played golf last year in South Florida.
The panel of 12 jurors and four alternates was sworn in on the third day of jury selection at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida. The jury has four white men, one Black man, six white women, and one Black woman. The alternates are two white men and two white women. The panel was selected from a pool of 180 potential jurors.
Opening statements are set to begin Thursday morning, and the trial is expected to run another two or three weeks.
Ryan Routh’s trial begins nearly a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted Routh’s attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Routh is representing himself after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon agreed to let him dismiss his court-appointed attorneys. They are, however, standing by in the courtroom if needed.
Prosecutors have said Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived another attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Jury selected in trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump
A jury was selected Wednesday in the trial of a man charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump while he played golf last year.
Suspect in Trump assassination attempt veers off topic and forfeits opening statement at trial
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 11, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A suspect on trial for trying to assassinate President Donald Trump while he played golf in South Florida last year forfeited his right to continue making an opening statement on Thursday when he veered off topic and talked about Adolf Hitler and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Ryan Routh, who is representing himself, was warned by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to stay on topic. The judge twice asked jurors to leave the courtroom so she could deal with the unconventional turn in Routh’s opening statement.
Both Routh and prosecutors had been given 40 minutes each to make opening statements, but Routh’s initial argument, read from a written statement, lasted less than 10 minutes before the judge said he had forfeited the right to continue because he was addressing unrelated matters.
“I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” Cannon said.
During the prosecution’s opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley told jurors that Routh wanted to make sure that Trump wasn’t re-elected to the White House.
“This plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious,” Shipley said.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Prosecutors have said Routh, 59, methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived another attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Five witnesses testified Thursday, including two Secret Service agents, two FBI agents and a witness who followed Routh in his car after the shooting so he could write down his license plate.
Tommy McGee, the witness, testified that he was driving by the golf course when he heard the gunshot and saw a man running out of bushes into the street, almost hitting his car. McGee said the suspect looked at him straight in the eye. Once the suspect jumped in a car and fled, McGee said, he followed him out of a desire to help the police, not realizing that Trump was involved.
Routh asked only a few questions of the witnesses on cross-examination, and when he did he referred to himself in the third-person, leading to some awkward exchanges with Secret Service Agent Robert Fercano, who had spotted him in the bushes. Routh asked the agent if he had been harmed by what happened, and Fercano replied, “I wasn’t physically harmed, but I was mentally harmed from you pointing a gun at me.”
Fercano described being in a golf cart only five feet (1.5 meters) from Routh when he saw him pointing a gun from the bushes.
The trial began nearly a year after prosecutors say Fercano thwarted the attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. It’s expected to run two or three weeks. The trial’s start comes as police search for the gunman who killed conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a campus in Utah on Wednesday in what political leaders are calling an assassination.
Cannon is a Trump-appointed judge who drew scrutiny for her handling of a criminal case accusing Trump of illegally storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
Routh was a North Carolina construction worker who in recent years had moved to Hawaii. A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous, sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press.
In the early days of the war in Ukraine, Routh tried to recruit soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan to fight the Russians. In his native Greensboro, North Carolina, he was arrested in 2002 for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself from officers with a fully automatic machine gun and a “weapon of mass destruction,” which turned out to be an explosive with a 10-inch (25.4-cm) fuse.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 11, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A suspect on trial for trying to assassinate President Donald Trump while he played golf in South Florida last year forfeited his right to continue making an opening statement on Thursday when he veered off topic and talked about Adolf Hitler and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Ryan Routh, who is representing himself, was warned by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to stay on topic. The judge twice asked jurors to leave the courtroom so she could deal with the unconventional turn in Routh’s opening statement.
Both Routh and prosecutors had been given 40 minutes each to make opening statements, but Routh’s initial argument, read from a written statement, lasted less than 10 minutes before the judge said he had forfeited the right to continue because he was addressing unrelated matters.
“I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” Cannon said.
During the prosecution’s opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley told jurors that Routh wanted to make sure that Trump wasn’t re-elected to the White House.
“This plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious,” Shipley said.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Prosecutors have said Routh, 59, methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived another attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Five witnesses testified Thursday, including two Secret Service agents, two FBI agents and a witness who followed Routh in his car after the shooting so he could write down his license plate.
Tommy McGee, the witness, testified that he was driving by the golf course when he heard the gunshot and saw a man running out of bushes into the street, almost hitting his car. McGee said the suspect looked at him straight in the eye. Once the suspect jumped in a car and fled, McGee said, he followed him out of a desire to help the police, not realizing that Trump was involved.
Routh asked only a few questions of the witnesses on cross-examination, and when he did he referred to himself in the third-person, leading to some awkward exchanges with Secret Service Agent Robert Fercano, who had spotted him in the bushes. Routh asked the agent if he had been harmed by what happened, and Fercano replied, “I wasn’t physically harmed, but I was mentally harmed from you pointing a gun at me.”
Fercano described being in a golf cart only five feet (1.5 meters) from Routh when he saw him pointing a gun from the bushes.
The trial began nearly a year after prosecutors say Fercano thwarted the attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. It’s expected to run two or three weeks. The trial’s start comes as police search for the gunman who killed conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a campus in Utah on Wednesday in what political leaders are calling an assassination.
Cannon is a Trump-appointed judge who drew scrutiny for her handling of a criminal case accusing Trump of illegally storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
Routh was a North Carolina construction worker who in recent years had moved to Hawaii. A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous, sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press.
In the early days of the war in Ukraine, Routh tried to recruit soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan to fight the Russians. In his native Greensboro, North Carolina, he was arrested in 2002 for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself from officers with a fully automatic machine gun and a “weapon of mass destruction,” which turned out to be an explosive with a 10-inch (25.4-cm) fuse.
Suspect in Trump assassination attempt veers off topic and forfeits opening statement at trial
A suspect on trial for trying to assassinate Donald Trump in South Florida forfeited his right to continue making an opening statement.
Fingerprint on scope matches man accused of trying to assassinate Trump, court hears
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 15, 2025 • 2 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
A fingerprint on the scope of a rifle found near where President Donald Trump was playing golf last year matches that of a man accused of trying to assassinate Trump that day, an FBI analyst testified Monday in a Florida courtroom.
Monday was the third day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for the trial, but it could end sooner: Prosecutors said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
The day’s first witness testified about items collected from a black SUV that Routh had been driving and living in for several weeks before the attempted attack, according to local news outlets.
The FBI agent said the evidence recovered included six cellphones, three license plates, a bullet casing and notes on flights to Mexico and Colombia.
Later, an FBI analyst testified that Routh’s fingerprint was found on the scope of the SKS rifle found just outside the golf course. A weapons expert confirmed that the gun was in working order.
Routh, who is representing himself, has conducted relatively brief cross-examinations of the government witnesses.
Routh has indicated that he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as several character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 15, 2025 • 2 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
A fingerprint on the scope of a rifle found near where President Donald Trump was playing golf last year matches that of a man accused of trying to assassinate Trump that day, an FBI analyst testified Monday in a Florida courtroom.
Monday was the third day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for the trial, but it could end sooner: Prosecutors said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
The day’s first witness testified about items collected from a black SUV that Routh had been driving and living in for several weeks before the attempted attack, according to local news outlets.
The FBI agent said the evidence recovered included six cellphones, three license plates, a bullet casing and notes on flights to Mexico and Colombia.
Later, an FBI analyst testified that Routh’s fingerprint was found on the scope of the SKS rifle found just outside the golf course. A weapons expert confirmed that the gun was in working order.
Routh, who is representing himself, has conducted relatively brief cross-examinations of the government witnesses.
Routh has indicated that he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as several character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Fingerprint on scope matches man accused of trying to assassinate Trump, court hears
A fingerprint on a rifle scope found near where Donald Trump was playing golf matches that of a man accused of trying to assassinate him.
DNA on rifle, other items matches man accused of Trump plot, FBI analyst testifies
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 16, 2025 • 2 minute read
In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024.
In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. Photo by Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File /AP
DNA sampled from a rifle, as well as multiple other items, found near where President Donald Trump was playing golf in South Florida last year matches that of a man accused of trying to assassinate Trump that day, an FBI analyst testified Tuesday.
Tuesday was the fourth day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse. But prosecutors have said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
Prosecutors continued to call expert witnesses on Tuesday, according to local news outlets. A ballistics expert testified about two metal plates found mounted to the golf course fence, which would have been nearly impossible for handgun rounds to penetrate. Investigators believe Routh had planned to use the plates for cover.
One analyst testified that Routh was a potential DNA contributor to more than two dozen items collected from the crime scene, including an SKS rifle. Another expert described how Routh’s Google and Facebook accounts were logged in to several phones recovered from his SUV and contained location data that tracked his movements over the weeks leading up to the attempted attack.
Routh has indicated that he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as several character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 16, 2025 • 2 minute read
In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024.
In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. Photo by Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File /AP
DNA sampled from a rifle, as well as multiple other items, found near where President Donald Trump was playing golf in South Florida last year matches that of a man accused of trying to assassinate Trump that day, an FBI analyst testified Tuesday.
Tuesday was the fourth day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse. But prosecutors have said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
Prosecutors continued to call expert witnesses on Tuesday, according to local news outlets. A ballistics expert testified about two metal plates found mounted to the golf course fence, which would have been nearly impossible for handgun rounds to penetrate. Investigators believe Routh had planned to use the plates for cover.
One analyst testified that Routh was a potential DNA contributor to more than two dozen items collected from the crime scene, including an SKS rifle. Another expert described how Routh’s Google and Facebook accounts were logged in to several phones recovered from his SUV and contained location data that tracked his movements over the weeks leading up to the attempted attack.
Routh has indicated that he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as several character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
DNA on rifle, other items matches man accused of Trump plot, FBI analyst testifies
Tuesday was the fourth day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump.
Brothers testify about box left by man accused of trying to assassinate Trump
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A pair of North Carolina brothers testified Wednesday about a box left with them by a man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year.
Samuel and Lazaro Plata described in Spanish through translators how Ryan Routh left the container filled with pipes, bullets, wires and other items at Lazaro Plata’s home in Greensboro, North Carolina, in April 2024 — about five months before the alleged attempt.
Both men have known Routh for about 30 years and had previously worked at his roofing business. They contacted authorities last September after seeing news of Routh’s arrest.
Wednesday was the fifth day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse. But prosecutors have said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday or Friday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
Both brothers testified that they never opened the box until after Routh’s arrest. Lazaro Plata testified that he didn’t have any reason to think there was anything suspicious about Routh leaving the container.
An FBI agent testified that he found a 12-page letter in the box addressed to “Dear World.” Prosecutors only wanted the first few lines included as evidence.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” the handwritten letter said. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
Routh had asked that the entire letter be allowed into evidence, arguing that the first few lines lacked context. He was specifically interested in a line that referred to shredding Trump’s plane. Routh said the letter doesn’t say anything about a golf course, the location of the alleged attack.
Cannon sided with prosecutors, saying the rest of the letter was irrelevant or hearsay.
Routh has indicated he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as two character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself. He tried to use the Plata brothers as de facto character witnesses during cross examination, asking questions like, “Did I teach your whole family how to roof and do construction?” and “Have I ever got into a physical fight?”
The judge gave Routh some leeway but eventually brought the questions to an end.
Also Wednesday, Ronnie Jay Oxendine testified that he sold Routh the SKS rifle used in the alleged assassination attempt, according to local news outlets. Oxendine was convicted of a weapons charge in July and was testifying against Routh as part of his plea agreement.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear. The gunman was then fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla.
This courtroom sketch shows Ryan Routh, back left, as Kristy Militello, far left, Routh's lead public defender, reviews the day's Juror Lists with the co-assistant defence counsel during the trial of Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo by Lothar Speer via AP /AP
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A pair of North Carolina brothers testified Wednesday about a box left with them by a man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year.
Samuel and Lazaro Plata described in Spanish through translators how Ryan Routh left the container filled with pipes, bullets, wires and other items at Lazaro Plata’s home in Greensboro, North Carolina, in April 2024 — about five months before the alleged attempt.
Both men have known Routh for about 30 years and had previously worked at his roofing business. They contacted authorities last September after seeing news of Routh’s arrest.
Wednesday was the fifth day of testimony in the trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors said spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse. But prosecutors have said they should be able to rest their case by Thursday or Friday, and Routh’s witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear by Friday.
Both brothers testified that they never opened the box until after Routh’s arrest. Lazaro Plata testified that he didn’t have any reason to think there was anything suspicious about Routh leaving the container.
An FBI agent testified that he found a 12-page letter in the box addressed to “Dear World.” Prosecutors only wanted the first few lines included as evidence.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” the handwritten letter said. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
Routh had asked that the entire letter be allowed into evidence, arguing that the first few lines lacked context. He was specifically interested in a line that referred to shredding Trump’s plane. Routh said the letter doesn’t say anything about a golf course, the location of the alleged attack.
Cannon sided with prosecutors, saying the rest of the letter was irrelevant or hearsay.
Routh has indicated he plans to call a firearms expert, as well as two character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself. He tried to use the Plata brothers as de facto character witnesses during cross examination, asking questions like, “Did I teach your whole family how to roof and do construction?” and “Have I ever got into a physical fight?”
The judge gave Routh some leeway but eventually brought the questions to an end.
Also Wednesday, Ronnie Jay Oxendine testified that he sold Routh the SKS rifle used in the alleged assassination attempt, according to local news outlets. Oxendine was convicted of a weapons charge in July and was testifying against Routh as part of his plea agreement.
Recounting the incident at the Trump International Golf Club, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear. The gunman was then fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Brothers testify about box left by man accused of trying to assassinate Trump
Samuel and Lazaro Plata described through translators how Ryan Routh left the container filled with pipes, bullets, wires and other items.
Man accused of trying to kill Trump says prosecutors haven't proven assassination attempt
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 19, 2025 • Last updated 22 hours ago • 3 minute read
In this imaged released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Routh, the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, on Sept. 15, 2024.
In this imaged released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Routh, the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, on Sept. 15, 2024.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year told a federal judge on Friday that prosecutors haven’t proven that an assassination attempt occurred. But the judge denied his motion for acquittal, meaning jurors will eventually decide the man’s fate.
Prosecutors rested their case against Ryan Routh Friday afternoon following testimony from 38 witnesses over seven days. After jurors were dismissed for the weekend, Routh, who is representing himself, made a motion for acquittal directly to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on four of the five counts against him, excluding the charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors have said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Routh argued Friday afternoon that prosecutors haven’t proven any attempt to assassinate Trump.
“They maybe proved that someone was outside the (golf course) fence with a gun, but the gun was never fired,” Routh said.
Routh said the area outside the Trump International Golf Club was a public right of way for a public road, and anyone had a right to be there with a weapon.
Prosecutors responded that Routh took multiple substantial steps in his attempt to kill Trump, including aiming a loaded gun with its safety off through the fence.
“This is as far from peaceful assembly as you can get,” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley said.
Cannon denied Routh’s motion, explaining that a juror could reasonably find that prosecutors had met their burden of proof. That means the next step is for the defence to begin its case Monday morning. Routh has indicated he plans to call three witnesses: a firearms expert and two character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself. He told the judge Friday that his case should take about half a day.
Cannon said attorneys should be prepared to deliver their closing arguments on Tuesday, giving each side one hour and 45 minutes. Jurors will begin deliberating after that. Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for the trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse, but Routh’s relatively short cross examinations have led to a quicker pace than anticipated.
The prosecution’s final witness spent about six hours over Thursday and Friday tying together about a week’s worth of testimony. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy used cellphone records, location data, text messages, bank records, internet searches, security video and various store receipts to illustrate Routh’s actions and movements over the month prior to the attempted attack and to show that he began trying to acquire a gun, despite being a convicted felon, nearly six months before his arrest.
Evidence showed that Routh traveled to South Florida about a month before the assassination attempt, McGreevy said. He lived out of a black Nissan Xterra, normally parked at a western Palm Beach County truck stop, while routinely traveling to the areas around Palm Beach International Airport, Trump International Golf Course and Trump’s primary residence at Mar-a-Lago, the agent said.
“He was living at that truck stop and conducting physical and electronic surveillance and stalking the president, then-former President Trump,” McGreevy said.
Recounting the alleged attack at the golf course, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot, the agent said.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witness said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear. The gunman was then fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
David Fischer
Published Sep 19, 2025 • Last updated 22 hours ago • 3 minute read
In this imaged released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Routh, the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, on Sept. 15, 2024.
In this imaged released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Routh, the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, on Sept. 15, 2024.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year told a federal judge on Friday that prosecutors haven’t proven that an assassination attempt occurred. But the judge denied his motion for acquittal, meaning jurors will eventually decide the man’s fate.
Prosecutors rested their case against Ryan Routh Friday afternoon following testimony from 38 witnesses over seven days. After jurors were dismissed for the weekend, Routh, who is representing himself, made a motion for acquittal directly to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on four of the five counts against him, excluding the charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors have said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.
Routh argued Friday afternoon that prosecutors haven’t proven any attempt to assassinate Trump.
“They maybe proved that someone was outside the (golf course) fence with a gun, but the gun was never fired,” Routh said.
Routh said the area outside the Trump International Golf Club was a public right of way for a public road, and anyone had a right to be there with a weapon.
Prosecutors responded that Routh took multiple substantial steps in his attempt to kill Trump, including aiming a loaded gun with its safety off through the fence.
“This is as far from peaceful assembly as you can get,” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley said.
Cannon denied Routh’s motion, explaining that a juror could reasonably find that prosecutors had met their burden of proof. That means the next step is for the defence to begin its case Monday morning. Routh has indicated he plans to call three witnesses: a firearms expert and two character witnesses. He hasn’t said whether he plans to testify himself. He told the judge Friday that his case should take about half a day.
Cannon said attorneys should be prepared to deliver their closing arguments on Tuesday, giving each side one hour and 45 minutes. Jurors will begin deliberating after that. Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for the trial at the Fort Pierce federal courthouse, but Routh’s relatively short cross examinations have led to a quicker pace than anticipated.
The prosecution’s final witness spent about six hours over Thursday and Friday tying together about a week’s worth of testimony. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy used cellphone records, location data, text messages, bank records, internet searches, security video and various store receipts to illustrate Routh’s actions and movements over the month prior to the attempted attack and to show that he began trying to acquire a gun, despite being a convicted felon, nearly six months before his arrest.
Evidence showed that Routh traveled to South Florida about a month before the assassination attempt, McGreevy said. He lived out of a black Nissan Xterra, normally parked at a western Palm Beach County truck stop, while routinely traveling to the areas around Palm Beach International Airport, Trump International Golf Course and Trump’s primary residence at Mar-a-Lago, the agent said.
“He was living at that truck stop and conducting physical and electronic surveillance and stalking the president, then-former President Trump,” McGreevy said.
Recounting the alleged attack at the golf course, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot, the agent said.
Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who testified that he saw a person fleeing the area after hearing gunshots. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witness said he confirmed it was the person he had seen.
Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived an attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear. The gunman was then fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
Man accused of trying to kill Trump says prosecutors haven't proven assassination attempt
A man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump told a federal judge that prosecutors haven't proven that an assassination attempt occurred.