STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida authorities have filed new attempted murder charges against Ryan Routh, who previously faced accusations of trying to kill President-elect Donald Trump. The charges stem from a crash that occurred during his arrest, in which a 6-year-old girl was severely injured.
On September 15, 2024, Routh, 58, allegedly waited for 12 hours outside Trump International Golf Club before being spotted by a U.S. Secret Service agent with a rifle. After fleeing the scene, Routh was apprehended by Martin County deputies, who were informed of his actions by a tip-off. During the arrest, Routh was involved in a crash that left the child critically injured.
Attorney General Ashley Moody explained that the crash, along with Routh’s actions, led to the new attempted murder charge. “When you couple those terrible injuries together with his other criminal conduct, we believe it rises to the level of domestic terrorism,” she said. Routh could face life in prison if convicted.
The arrest and the investigation surrounding Routh have sparked tensions between Florida authorities and the federal government, as state officials allege that federal agencies have blocked their investigation into the attempted assassination attempt. Governor Ron DeSantis expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from federal agencies, which has hindered transparency.
Despite these challenges, Moody expressed confidence that federal agencies would cooperate in the new year as law enforcement pursues charges against Routh.
