(The Center Square) – Ryan Wesley Routh will be charged with attempted felony murder of Donald Trump, said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The assassination attempt on the former president in West Palm Beach in September was foiled without a shot fired at Trump. Moody said it was a correct charge for what she considered domestic terrorism.
She also said a 6-year-old girl was seriously injured in a car accident caused by law enforcement officers stopping traffic in both directions on Interstate 95 when Routh was captured due to the possibility of explosives.
“I anticipate this investigation will not stop,” Moody said. “It will continue and will be transparent and accountable to Floridians. We will continue to partner with the federal government to ensure these charges are pursued fully.”
Routh, a North Carolina native most recently living in Hawaii, was discovered hiding in the bushes with an SKS-type rifle. He was shot at by U.S. Secret Service agents before fleeing in his Nissan Xterra. Routh, 58, was later arrested by Martin County sheriff’s deputies on Sept. 15.
Federal prosecutors have already charged Routh with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
The state of Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in October to allow state officials to continue their investigation of the incident and pursue state charges after federal officials said they intended to use jurisdiction to keep Florida investigators out of the case.
Moody said federal officials didn’t allow state investigators access to the crime scene, witness interviews or to evidence discovered in the case.
