Ryan Routh convicted on five counts, including attempted assassination of Donald Trump
A jury convicted Ryan Routh on five federal counts — including attempted assassination of Donald Trump, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms offenses — after testimony and evidence in Fort Pierce showed a Secret Service agent saw Routh aim an SKS‑style rifle through a fence at Trump’s golf course and prosecutors tied Routh to the hide with DNA, phone, financial records, surveillance, and a handwritten “Dear World” note describing an assassination attempt. Routh, who represented himself and whose opening was cut off by Judge Aileen Cannon, faces a possible life sentence with sentencing set for December; he attempted to stab himself and was restrained by U.S. Marshals immediately after the guilty verdict.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Twelve jurors and four alternates selected after three days; opening statements Thursday in Fort Pierce, FL.
- Routh is representing himself; Judge Aileen Cannon excused a juror who said "I am MAGA" and another who said she only follows God's law.
- Routh objected to prosecution strikes of two Black jurors; prosecution cited a language barrier for one and said it did not know the other's race.
- Alleged incident: on Sept. 15, 2024, a Secret Service agent saw Routh aiming a rifle at Trump at the West Palm Beach course; he fled and was later arrested on I-95.
- Federal charges include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and multiple firearms and assault counts.
- Opening statements began Sept. 11; Ryan Routh, representing himself, delivered a rambling 7-minute opening that Judge Aileen Cannon halted as irrelevant after dismissing the jury and warning him.
- First government witness Special Agent Robert Fercano (now with HSI, formerly Secret Service) testified that Routh aimed a rifle at his face in a 'textbook ambush' at Trump International Golf Course on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Fercano described seeing a face, a rifle barrel, and plate-like shielding hanging from the fence; he drew his weapon and fired while retreating.
- Radio traffic timestamps: 'Mogul on 5 green' at 1:24 p.m.; 'shots fired' 11 seconds later; Fercano reported an 'AK-47 style' rifle pointed through the fence.
- Prosecutors presented the alleged weapon: a Chinese-made SKS rifle; Fercano demonstrated that 1–2 inches of the barrel protruded through the fence.
- Fercano’s positioning/timeline: he was scanning the sixth hole while Trump played the fifth when he noticed abnormalities at the fence line.
- DOJ prosecutor identified as Maria Medetis Long; electronics are banned in the courtroom; Routh was expected to cross-examine Fercano after a 1:05 p.m. ET break.
📰 Sources (33)
NYT accidentally pre-published wrong verdict for trial of would-be Trump assassin
New information:
- The New York Times briefly (and inadvertently) published a pre-written 'not guilty' article for the Ryan Routh trial that displayed the headline 'Man Found Not Guilty of Trying to Assassinate Trump in Florida.'
- A screenshot indicated the pre-written not-guilty piece was staged for the print edition dated September 24, 2025.
- The Times replaced the inadvertent not-guilty version with the correct guilty-verdict story in under a minute and issued a correction; a Times spokesperson provided a statement to Fox News Digital explaining the preparation of multiple outcome drafts and confirming the inadvertent publication.
Would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh's daughter screams and runs from courthouse after guilty verdict read
New information:
- Defendant's daughter Sara Routh stood up in the courtroom, loudly cursed at reporters and jurors, and shouted quoted lines including 'Don’t do anything. I will get you out' and 'He didn’t hurt anybody. This is not fair.'
- Sara Routh chased after the departing black SUV carrying her father, repeatedly shouting 'I love you,' and was later escorted to a car by her brother Adam Routh while continuing to berate the press.
- The article reproduces text of a handwritten note attributed to the defendant offering $150,000 to 'whomever can complete the job,' reinforcing prior reporting on the note.
Man convicted of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course last year
New information:
- Routh was convicted on five charges, including attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer, and possession of a firearm.
- He faces a potential life sentence.
- Sentencing is scheduled for December.
Bondi praises Ryan Routh verdict, says assassination attempt was an 'affront to our very nation itself'
New information:
- Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an official statement praising the guilty verdict and framing the attempt as an 'affront to our very nation itself,' citing DOJ’s commitment to punish political violence.
- Bondi credited U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones and the trial team in securing the verdict.
- President Trump publicly congratulated AG Bondi, Deputy AG Todd Blanche and DOJ on Truth Social, and thanked the judge, jury, Secret Service, Florida law enforcement, and a witness who followed the suspect.
- Trump, speaking at the U.N. in New York, said he was 'very appreciative' of how the case was handled and called the outcome 'a very big moment for justice in America.'
- Article specifies Routh, 59, was charged on five federal counts (including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer) and faces life in prison.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Ryan Routh found guilty
New information:
- Fox reports the jury returned a guilty verdict on all charges.
- Routh’s daughter reportedly shouted in court after the verdict, calling the process 'rigged' and saying 'he didn’t hurt anybody,' while telling her father 'Don’t do anything. I will get you out.'
- The outburst occurred while the jury was still in the room, per Fox.
Ryan Routh tries to harm himself after guilty verdict in Trump assassination attempt trial
New information:
- A jury convicted Ryan Routh on Tuesday of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course.
- Immediately after the verdict, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck, possibly with a pen from his desk.
- U.S. Marshals tackled Routh and intervened to stop the self-harm attempt.
Ryan Routh found guilty in Trump assassination attempt
New information:
- President Trump posted on Truth Social praising the Justice Department and called the conviction a 'very big moment.'
- Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a press release praising law enforcement and condemning the attempted assassination as an affront to the nation.
- Court filings referenced by Axios note that a Secret Service agent saw Routh pointing a gun through the tree line at Trump’s Florida golf course on Sept. 15, 2024, after which he fled and was arrested following a short pursuit.
- A witness contacted law enforcement about a handwritten letter Routh allegedly dropped off months earlier addressed to the 'World' saying, 'This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.'
Man accused of trying to assassinate Trump in Florida rests his case without testifying
New information:
- Judge Aileen Cannon allotted 1 hour and 45 minutes per side for closing arguments on Tuesday.
- Prosecutors presented 38 witnesses over seven trial days before resting Friday afternoon.
- Defense expert Michael McClay was permitted to fire two test shots; the second jammed, and a scope found at the scene had been affixed with tape and glue.
- Prosecutors argued the gun’s later jam could stem from corrosion after investigators used acid to recover a serial number and the firearm sat without maintenance.
- Two character witnesses (a former employee and a friend of Routh’s son) testified Routh was peaceful but acknowledged they hadn’t seen him in years.
- Judge Cannon halted Routh’s questioning of his son’s friend after he asked about going to Taiwan to host a music festival.
- Routh confirmed he would not testify; standby counsel remained present after he elected to represent himself.
Man charged with attempted assassination of Trump rests own case
New information:
- Routh formally rested his case on Sept. 22 after a few hours of defense presentation and said he would not testify.
- Named the defense firearms expert as Michael McClay, a former Marine sniper, who testified he test-fired the SKS-style rifle and found it repeatedly jammed on the second round.
- Prosecutors attributed the jamming to acid used by investigators to recover obliterated serial numbers on the rifle.
- Routh probed a theory about a potential shot from the 5th hole (~375 yards) versus the 6th green (~40 yards); McClay agreed the rifle could hit at 375 yards depending on shooter skill.
- Two former friends from North Carolina were called by Routh for character testimony; Judge Aileen Cannon repeatedly admonished Routh for not following courtroom rules and curtailed questioning.
- Closing arguments are set for Tuesday (Sept. 23).
Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh questions first witnesses as case nears its final stage
New information:
- Ryan Routh told Judge Aileen Cannon he will not testify, confirming his decision after the judge pressed him about consulting standby counsel.
- Defense called firearms/sniper expert Michael McClay, who said the SKS rifle was capable of hitting a target at 375 yards and could injure a person at that distance.
- McClay testified he appeared under subpoena and did not want to testify for Routh.
- Two additional defense witnesses — family friend Atwill Milsun and former colleague Marshall Hinshaw — testified briefly with limited substantive information.
- Prosecutors requested the lunch hour to decide on rebuttal witnesses; if none are called, the defense is expected to rest within hours, with closings and jury deliberations to follow.
Man representing himself in alleged Trump assassination attempt plans to call just 3 witnesses
New information:
- Cellphone records show Routh texted his three adult children and fiancée to tell them he loved them shortly before he was spotted by a Secret Service agent.
- A recorded jail call captures Routh’s fiancée telling him, “Everybody knows, it’s been hours. The whole world knows.”
- Routh has not said whether he will testify; he plans to call a firearms expert and two character witnesses and expects his defense to take about half a day.
- Judge Aileen Cannon had initially blocked off more than three weeks for the trial, but shorter cross-examinations have accelerated the schedule.
- A witness was flown by police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested and identified him as the person seen fleeing after gunshots.
- Background from July hearings: Routh told the judge he took over his defense because he believed appointed lawyers didn’t think he wasn’t dangerous; standby counsel remains in place.
Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh to defend himself as prosecution rests case
New information:
- FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy was the government’s final witness, walking jurors through phone, license plate, bank, and surveillance data tying Routh to Trump’s movements.
- Prosecutors presented evidence that Routh’s 'home base' from Aug. 14–Sept. 15, 2024 was the Marathon truck stop in South Bay, Florida, with cash receipts for overnight parking.
- Body-cam footage from a welfare check showed Routh wearing madras shorts later found in his Nissan Xterra and seen in Sept. 7 airport surveillance as he watched Trump’s plane depart.
- Jurors saw Routh’s searches for Trump’s schedule, rally tickets, golf properties, airport live feeds and plane-tracking sites; a text with contact 'Vladmir' referenced an aerial image of Trump’s plane.
- Financial records showed deposits/transfers through accounts in daughter Sara’s name and messages about Western Union transfers, including a March 29, 2024 text to his son Oran.
- Prosecution formally rested Friday; defense expected to call a firearms expert and two character witnesses starting Monday.
Man representing himself against Trump plot plans to call just 3 witnesses
New information:
- Routh plans to call only three witnesses (a firearms expert and two character witnesses) and told the court his defense will take about a half day.
- Judge Aileen Cannon set closing arguments for Tuesday, allotting each side 1 hour and 45 minutes, with jury deliberations to follow.
- Cell records show Routh texted his three adult children and his fiancée that he loved them shortly before he was spotted by a Secret Service agent; in a recorded jail call, the fiancée told him, “Everybody knows … The whole world knows.”
- A Secret Service agent testified Routh aimed a rifle at him, prompting the agent to fire; Routh dropped the weapon and fled without firing a shot.
- A civilian witness who saw a person fleeing was flown by police helicopter to a nearby interstate, where Routh was arrested; the witness identified him as the person seen.
Prosecutors rest their case in trial of man accused in attempted Trump assassination
New information:
- Prosecutors have now rested their case after presenting their final witness on Friday in Fort Pierce, Fla.
- Secret Service agent testimony: he spotted a rifle barrel through a fence at Trump’s golf club, fired, and the gunman fled without firing.
- FBI SSA Kimberly McGreevy detailed that Routh used six phones, lived at a truck stop while tracking Trump’s movements (Mar‑a‑Lago, golf club, airport), and purchased an SKS‑style rifle while attempting to buy a more powerful weapon.
- Text message evidence: Routh asked his girlfriend about SKS capacity and referenced AK‑47 range ('I have to get to 400').
- Routh is representing himself; Judge Aileen Cannon has rejected most of his subpoena requests, prosecutors seek to block his proposed evidence; defense expected to call a firearms expert and two character witnesses starting Monday.
Prosecutors present final witness tying Ryan Routh to Trump's golf club and gun purchase
New information:
- FBI SSA Kimberly McGreevy testified as the prosecution’s final witness, detailing a financial and digital trail linking Ryan Routh to Florida and the alleged plot.
- Handwritten note allegedly left at an associate’s home read: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump… it’s up to you now to complete the job,” and referenced a $150,000 reward; bank transfers showed Routh had funds to pay such a sum.
- Records showed a March 15, 2024 $162,000 deposit into daughter Sara Routh’s account and a same‑day $160,000 transfer, plus Venmo movements from Sara’s accounts to Ryan Routh.
- Phone data showed searches of Trump’s schedule, golf courses, rally tickets, and “how many bullets does an SKS rifle hold?” (Sept. 4, 2024), along with hundreds of firearm images.
- A text exchange with a contact labeled 'Vladimir' discussed Trump’s plane with an aerial image; Routh replied, “Trump’s plane. He gets on and off every day.”
- Receipts and body‑cam footage placed Routh’s 'home base' at the Marathon truck stop in South Bay, FL (Aug. 14–Sept. 15, 2024), including clothing later found in his vehicle.
- License plate readers placed Routh’s black Nissan Xterra in the Palm Beach area on March 29–31 and April 3, 2024, with plates tied to Sara Routh, another vehicle, and one unassigned.
- A burner‑phone photo showed a map of the 14th hole at Trump’s course with pins and Routh’s reflection; another photo showed an SKS rifle propped in a tree at the same hole.
Prosecutors to rest case in Trump assassination attempt trial, defense preps witnesses
New information:
- ATF Destructive Device Examiner identified as Randy Walters; he testified components (including rat traps) were spray-painted green and that seven partially assembled devices were found inside a bag in the gray box.
- FBI Special Agent Nicholas Schnelle was introduced as a sniper tradecraft expert who described the alleged hide as a “final firing point” with multiple shooting lanes and fence support, likening it to 'loophole shooting in combat operations.'
- Schnelle demonstrated the SKS rifle’s safety for jurors and said the gun is similar to an AK-47.
- On cross, Routh asked about concealment; Schnelle said the hide was well-concealed and stated the red and blue bungee cords could blend with the natural environment.
- Judge Aileen Cannon intermittently admonished Routh for speaking after objections and reminded jurors he is on trial only for the listed charges.
- The court scheduled a Friday afternoon charge conference; defense witnesses could include a firearms expert and potential character witnesses once the government rests.
- Routh’s children, Sara and Adam, attended the proceedings.
Explosives expert details devices as Trump assassination trial nears close
New information:
- ATF examiner Randy Walters testified a gray box recovered at an associate’s home contained homemade device components including modified rat traps as triggers, pipes, and .50-caliber cartridges, with seven partially assembled firing mechanisms in a bag.
- Walters said the components had no other purpose than as weapons; on cross he agreed most individual parts are not illegal to own, but noted felons cannot lawfully possess ammunition.
- FBI Special Agent Nicholas Schnelle displayed the Chinese-made semiautomatic rifle prosecutors say Routh carried onto Trump’s golf course; the agent had not test-fired it and the jury closely examined the weapon and other exhibits.
- Routh, representing himself, repeatedly drew objections and was cut off by Judge Aileen Cannon; court planned to adjourn at 4:30 p.m. ET Thursday for a charge conference.
- Prosecution now expects to rest its case Friday, with the defense directed to have witnesses ready.
Prosecutors to wrap Trump assassination attempt case as defense readies witnesses
New information:
- Prosecutors are expected to rest their case on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025; Judge Aileen Cannon told the defense to be ready with witnesses Friday.
- FBI Special Agent Garett Foo testified about a gray storage box recovered in North Carolina containing phones, ammunition, an improvised firing mechanism, and Routh’s handwritten 'Dear World' letter.
- Judge Cannon allowed jurors to see only the first three sentences of the letter, including 'This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump' and a $150,000 offer to 'whomever can complete the job.'
- Routh, representing himself, argued unsuccessfully to include additional letter context such as the phrase 'shred his airplane.'
- Two former associates, brothers Samuel and Lazaro Plata, testified; one said he found the gray box and alerted law enforcement, the other recalled the phrases 'Dear World,' 'Donald Trump,' and '$150,000' from the letter.
- A text shown in court from Routh read, 'Want to give you my son Oran’s number in case I die in the next 10 or 20 years.'
- Routh has indicated he plans to call a firearms expert and character witnesses; it remains unclear whether he will testify.
Gun seller tells Ryan Routh: 'I heard of you threatening people' in tense courtroom exchange
New information:
- Ronnie Jay Oxendine testified he sold the rifle to Ryan Routh in August 2024 for $350, with intermediary Tina Cooper receiving $100, during a parking-lot transaction at his office.
- Oxendine said Routh worked the bolt, asked for ammunition, claimed he wanted the gun because his son was being intimidated by roommates, and stated he would remove the serial number.
- Oxendine testified he owns roughly 300 firearms, denied removing serial numbers himself, and acknowledged a recent conviction for possessing a sawed-off shotgun; he is testifying under a plea deal and faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine.
- Under cross-examination, Oxendine told Routh, 'I heard of you threatening people'; Judge Aileen Cannon struck an unrelated remark by Routh and warned him against further outbursts.
- FBI Task Force Officer Patrick Lantry described surveillance at a South Bay, Florida truck stop where agents found orange earplugs and empty Vienna sausage cans; Routh questioned whether food was left to feed bugs.
- AT&T employee Aaron Thompson testified Routh purchased a prepaid line under the name 'John White'; an on-the-record remark by Routh impugning Thompson's trustworthiness was struck.
- Prosecutors are expected to rest their case Thursday; the defense has been told to have witnesses ready Friday.
Gun seller takes stand in Trump assassination attempt trial with key testimony about rifle purchase
New information:
- DOJ plans to call Ronnie Jay Oxendine, alleged seller of the rifle tied to the case, to testify on Wednesday (Day 8).
- Additional named witnesses: FBI Task Force Officer Patrick M. Lantry; FBI Special Agents Matthew S. Perry, Garett L. Foo, and Laura E. Haller (digital forensic examiner); Aaron Thompson.
- Lazaro and Samuel Plata are scheduled to testify with Spanish/English translators present.
- Newly quoted messages attributed to Routh: 'I hate him… shan’t get elected again' and 'If I can help just let me know what to do.'
- FBI testimony that Routh’s DNA was strongly linked to the rifle grip, a bag, a glove and other items found in the alleged sniper’s nest (item-level detail).
- Judge Aileen Cannon pressed prosecutors to streamline questioning and cautioned Routh (who is pro se) about interruptions.
- Prosecutors expect to rest their case by the end of the week; defense witnesses could begin next week.
+ 13 more sources