World News

‘Is this guy part of a conspiracy?’ Florida Sheriff questions whether would-be Trump gunman acted alone

The former president’s golf schedule had not been publicly disclosed.

By Matthew Xiao, The Washington Free Beacon

A Florida sheriff is raising questions about whether the attempted assassination of Donald Trump is part of a broader conspiracy.

The sheriff, William Snyder of Martin County, Fla., noted that the would-be assassin is not a Florida resident and that the former president’s movements on Sunday were not broadcast in advance.

“How does a guy from not here get all the way to Trump International, realize that the president, former president of the United States, is golfing, and is able to get a rifle in that vicinity?” Snyder said Monday.

The former president’s golf schedule had not been publicly disclosed.

“I think that’s the question the FBI, the Secret Service are laser-focused on today. Is this guy part of a conspiracy? Is he a lone gunman?” Snyder continued.

“If he’s part of a conspiracy, then this whole thing really takes on a very ominous tone.”

The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, allegedly camped at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course with food, a digital camera, and a loaded rifle with a scope for around 12 hours before the Secret Service spotted him, according to cell phone data obtained by authorities.

A Secret Service agent opened fire after noticing the muzzle of a rifle protruding from shrubbery about 400 yards from where Trump was playing. The suspect fled in a vehicle but was apprehended in less than an hour.

The incident follows a similar security lapse two months ago, when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks evaded Secret Service detection for at least 20 minutes and nearly assassinated Trump at a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.

Routh, charged Monday with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, appeared to smile and laugh at least three times while speaking to his attorney before the hearing began, Fox News reported.

The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Share
Published by
Yossi Licht
Tags: Donald Trump assassination attempt Florida Sheriff Ryan Wesley Routh

Recent Posts

  • Videos

WATCH: Gazan child armed with rifle enters home where Hamas operates

Extraordinary footage from Gaza captures a little boy clutching a rifle nearly as big as…

12 minutes ago
  • Jewish Diaspora & Antisemitism

Number of British Jews making Aliyah surges amid spike in antisemitism

Immigration to Israel from Britain rises by roughly one-third, while applications for Aliyah soar 90%…

17 minutes ago
  • World News

IAC counters ‘NAZA’ premiere with rally, Oct. 7 footage outside NY’s Lincoln Center

IAC National Board co-chair Tal Shuster urged theaters to screen the film to include Oct.…

22 minutes ago
  • Analysis & Opinion

Iran and the US: An October surprise?

The problem with all October Surprise theories is that they stop at the point that…

32 minutes ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Nova festival survivor blasts ‘NAZA’ filmmakers at New York premiere

Oct. 7 and Nova festival survivor Rom El-Hai blasted the filmmakers behind the defamatory film…

42 minutes ago
  • World News

Turkey’s Erdogan advances social media crackdown ahead of possible early elections

Experts warn the new proposal would strip away much of the anonymity that still exists…

52 minutes ago