The man who was convicted of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump last year tried to stab himself in the neck after a jury found him guilty on all five charges.
The charges stemmed from an attempted assassination on September 15, 2024, when Ryan Wesley Routh, armed with a military-grade rifle, tried to kill the president while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The suspect had spent weeks tracking the 79-year-old's movements and hiding in the bushes, awaiting the right moment to strike.
Courtroom Chaos and Ryan Routh’s Outburst
His plan was thwarted when a Secret Service agent spotted his rifle, forcing Routh to flee the scene. He was arrested later that day after being stopped by police on a nearby highway.
A chilling scene unfolded in the courtroom after Routh was found guilty on Tuesday (September 23).
A court sketch obtained by The Telegraph showed the 59-year-old grabbing a pen and trying to harm himself. Fortunately, the pen was designed not to inflict serious injury, leaving only bruises and marks on Routh’s neck.
U.S. marshals quickly subdued the man, surrounding him before escorting him out of the courtroom.
His daughter, Sara Routh, who was present in the room, shouted: “Dad, I love you. Don’t do anything. I will get you out.”
She also yelled, “He didn’t hurt anybody. This is not fair. This is all rigged,” before being removed from the courtroom herself.
Routh Represented Himself in Court
The verdict followed a tense trial where Routh, who lacked any legal experience, represented himself despite the gravity of the charges.
During his closing arguments, he claimed that he lacked the "capacity" to kill Trump, describing the plot as a "fantasy" he would never have carried out, ABC News reported.
Prosecutors, however, presented a clear and methodical case and detailed Routh’s actions in the days leading up to the incident.
They argued that the man had made extensive preparations to kill the president by buying illegal weapons, using burner phones to track Trump’s movements, and spending hours observing the golf course.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne told the jury that Routh was “one bullet away” from success, emphasizing that his intentions were clearly violent and serious.
Trump Reacts to Verdict
Following the guilty verdict, Trump expressed his gratitude on Truth Social.
"Congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the entire DOJ team on the conviction, in Florida, of the person who attempted an assassination on my life," he said.
"The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience.
"This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him."
"I would also like to thank the Secret Service, Department of Florida Law Enforcement, and the wonderful person who spotted him running from the site of the crime, and acted by following him, and getting all information on car type and license plate to the Sheriff’s Office, IMMEDIATELY, which led to his arrest and conviction," he concluded.
Routh now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 18.