Ryan Wesley Routh (MCSO) Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that a statewide investigation into the apparent assassination attempt on
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that a statewide investigation into the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Palm Beach County will be led by the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
DeSantis issued an executive order assigning the case to the statewide prosecutor, citing the accused gunman, Ryan Routh, for allegedly committing state law violations across multiple judicial circuits in Florida.
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Speaking at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Training Division in West Palm Beach, DeSantis emphasized the seriousness of the charges. “Florida has jurisdiction over the most straightforward and severe offense, which is attempted murder,” DeSantis said, which can be punishable by up to life in prison.
Routh, 58, was charged Monday with two federal gun-related crimes but is expected to face additional charges as the investigation proceeds. He was reportedly spotted by a U.S. Secret Service agent hiding with a rifle in shrubbery near Trump International Golf Club, where Trump, the current Republican presidential nominee, was playing. The Secret Service agent fired at Routh, who fled the scene and was later captured.
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DeSantis questioned why more serious charges had not yet been filed, especially given the FBI’s classification of the incident as an attempted assassination. “It’s important for Florida and the country that we pursue the most serious charges to hold this individual accountable,” DeSantis said. “A couple of gun charges are not going to be enough.”
The investigation will be carried out by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, under the supervision of Attorney General Ashley Moody. They will be supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, including the Florida Highway Patrol.
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“We’re happy to make sure that the American people and Floridians feel confident that we’re protecting one of our own, that we’re investigating this to leave no stone unturned,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
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