() – The man who authorities say sat with a rifle in the trees where Donald Trump was playing golf days ago in West Palm Beach, Florida, previously wrote a letter in which he claimed that “this was an assassination attempt against Donald Trump,” according to a new filing by federal prosecutors.
A witness told investigators that Ryan Wesley Routh had left a box at his home months earlier, which “contained ammunition, a metal pipe, various building materials, tools, four phones and several letters.” After learning of the apparent murder attempt, the witness opened the box, according to the affidavit.
The letter, addressed to “The World,” said: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you. I did everything I could and I gave it all the guts I could. Now it’s up to you to finish the job, and I will offer $150,000 to whoever can complete it.”
Trump “cut off relations with Iran like a child and now the Middle East has fallen apart,” the letter says.
Routh, 58, was charged last week with two firearms offenses after allegedly fleeing the Trump International Golf Course. More serious charges could be filed as the investigation progresses.
He is due to appear in court on Monday for a detention hearing.
Prosecutors say a Secret Service agent shot Routh after spotting a rifle sticking out of a grove of trees several holes in front of where Trump was playing golf on Sept. 15, and that a witness saw Routh flee the scene and drive away.
The complaint against Routh says cellphone data shows he may have been lurking for nearly 12 hours on the golf course. He was arrested after law enforcement spotted his car driving on a nearby road.
Routh’s recent record includes a stint in Ukraine, where he unsuccessfully attempted to be recruited to fight against Russia, as well as time in Hawaii working in construction.
In online posts often focused on American politics and world events, Routh said he had voted for Trump in 2016 but that the president had become a disappointment, adding that he would be glad “when he’s gone.”
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