Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man who was previously accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, now faces additional charges of attempted murder. The new charges stem from a car accident that occurred during Routh’s attempted escape from law enforcement, which resulted in serious injuries to a six-year-old girl. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the charges on Tuesday.
The new charges are based on the premise that Routh committed a felony, specifically domestic terrorism, which resulted in severe injuries and could have potentially led to the death of the young girl. If convicted, Routh could face a life sentence.
Routh is already facing federal charges related to the alleged assassination attempt on Trump, which include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, assault on a federal officer, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. These charges could also result in a life sentence if Routh is found guilty.
The alleged assassination attempt took place on September 15 at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach. A U.S. Secret Service agent reportedly spotted Routh hiding in the brush near the sixth hole of the golf course, with a rifle aimed at him. Routh fled the scene in a black Nissan Xterra after the agent fired at him.
During the subsequent investigation, a sniper’s nest was discovered in the dense shrubbery bordering the golf course. An SKS semi-automatic-style rifle was found leaning against a fence. Routh was later apprehended on Interstate 95 after a high-risk traffic stop.
The car accident that led to the new charges occurred during the investigation on the interstate. A chain-reaction crash occurred several miles away, severely injuring a six-year-old girl. The girl’s mother reported to a 911 dispatcher that she was unsure if her daughter was breathing and attempted to stabilize her neck while waiting for paramedics. The girl was later transported to a hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Routh is scheduled to appear in court for the federal case on February 10. The presiding judge is U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who previously dismissed a case related to classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.