Greensboro man found guilty in Trump assassination plot after jury deliberates for just two and a half hours
In a federal courtroom decision handed down on Tuesday, Ryan Wesley Routh, a 59-year-old, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, was found guilty on all five federal charges for attempting to assassinate former President and then-presidential candidate Donald J. Trump.
The jury reached its verdict after approximately two and a half hours of deliberation.
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 15, 2024, when Routh was discovered hiding in the shrubs near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was armed with an SKS-style rifle and positioned approximately 300 to 500 yards from Trump.
Man Convicted In Trump Assassination Plot
Authorities say he was pointing the rifle through a fence line in Trump’s direction when a Secret Service agent spotted him and opened fire, forcing Routh to drop the weapon. Routh fled the scene but was later captured during a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Martin County, Florida. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Routh was slapped with five serious federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, firearm possession in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. He entered a plea of not guilty and made the decision to represent himself during the trial.
Federal prosecutors brought forth a strong case, backed by key pieces of evidence including a written letter allegedly authored by Routh offering a bounty for Trump’s assassination.
They also presented cell-phone location data, surveillance footage, forensic fingerprint analysis linking Routh to the rifle, and testimony from witnesses who knew of his plans.
Prosecutors revealed that Routh had months earlier left behind a box containing letters and other materials related to the plot with acquaintances in North Carolina, who later turned the items over to authorities.
During the trial, Routh’s defense argued that no shot was ever fired and claimed the area where Routh was found was a public right of way, not restricted property, thus attempting to undercut the charge of attempted assassination. However, Judge Aileen Cannon denied motions to acquit and allowed the case to proceed to a jury.
After the guilty verdict was read aloud in court, Routh dramatically attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen. Courtroom U.S. Marshals quickly restrained him before he could inflict serious harm. Officials later confirmed that Routh survived the self-harm attempt.
Routh is now facing a possible life sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2025.
Born in Guilford County, North Carolina, Routh has spent most of his life in Greensboro, where he built a reputation not just for erratic behavior, but also for criminal activity.
His record includes multiple arrests and convictions, ranging from illegal gun possession and resisting arrest, to possessing stolen property. One particularly alarming incident occurred in 2002, when Routh was reportedly involved in a standoff with Greensboro police, during which he was believed to be in possession of a bomb or explosive device.
