CNN
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The man who authorities say sat with a rifle among the trees where Donald Trump was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida, earlier this month had previously written a letter saying “this is an assassination attempt against Donald Trump,” according to new documents filed by federal prosecutors.
A witness told investigators that Ryan Wesley Routh had left a box at his home several months earlier that “contained ammunition, metal pipes, various construction materials, tools, four phones, and various letters. When the witness learned of the assassination attempt, he opened the box, according to the criminal complaint.
The letter, addressed to “the world,” read: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump and I have let you down. I have done my best and mustered all the courage I had. Now it is up to you to complete this mission and I am offering $150,000 to anyone who can complete this mission.”
“President Trump has acted like a child, ending our relationship with Iran and now the Middle East is in ruins,” the letter said.
Routh, 58, was charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm after he fled the Trump International Golf Course last week, and more serious charges may be filed in the case as the investigation continues.
He is scheduled to appear in court Monday for a detention hearing.
Prosecutors said a Secret Service agent shot Routh after seeing a rifle protruding from trees a few holes away from where Trump was playing golf on Sept. 15. Witnesses saw Routh flee the scene and leave in a car.
According to the criminal complaint against Routh, cellphone data indicates he may have been lying in wait at the golf course for nearly 12 hours, and he was arrested after police spotted his car traveling on a nearby highway.
Routh’s more recent resume includes a stint in Ukraine, where he tried unsuccessfully to be recruited to fight Russia, and a stint working in construction in Hawaii.
In online posts that often focus on US politics and world affairs, Rouse said she voted for Trump in 2016 but that the president had disappointed her, adding: “I’ll be happy when you’re gone.”
In his self-published book, Routh also told Iran that they would be “free to assassinate Trump.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
