The suspect in the second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump was waiting outside the golf course perimeter for roughly 12 hours, authorities said.
Court records show that Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was camped outside of Trump International Golf Course Sunday with food and a rifle waiting for the former president. Cellphone data revealed that he was situated outside the course from about 1:59 a.m. to 1:31 p.m.
He was spotted by Secret Service agents pointing an AK-47 style through the fence, and agents opened fire. Mr. Routh was detained after fleeing the outskirts of the course.
Two backpacks, the gun and a GoPro camera were found in the location where he had been spotted.
He has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to the Justice Department. He has two previous charges of possessing stolen goods in 2002 in North Carolina.
Mr. Routh appeared in federal court Monday in West Palm Beach.
SEE ALSO: Ryan Routh, attempted Trump assassin, charged with two gun violations in Florida
This incident comes roughly two months after a 20-year-old shooter fired on Mr. Trump and grazed his ear at a rally in Pennsylvania. It also comes less than two months away from the presidential election between Mr. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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