Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, now faces an additional state charge of attempted murder connected to a car accident that occurred after his dramatic arrest. The incident, which left a 6-year-old girl critically injured, has intensified the legal ramifications surrounding Routh’s alleged actions.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office announced the new charge on Wednesday, citing the devastating injuries suffered by the young girl during a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 95 in Martin County. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody described the accident as a direct consequence of the high-risk traffic stop that unfolded following Routh’s alleged attempt on Trump’s life at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Routh’s vehicle was stopped by law enforcement on I-95 at approximately 2:09 p.m. on September 15, following a tip from a Secret Service agent who reported seeing a rifle barrel near the golf course’s sixth green. The suspect was apprehended within minutes, but the operation caused a significant traffic backup in both directions. Approximately 50 minutes later, a southbound vehicle rear-ended the car carrying the young girl and her family. The collision, which occurred three to four miles south of the traffic stop, resulted in critical injuries to the child and emotional devastation for her family.
Moody expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “When you couple those terrible injuries with Routh’s other criminal conduct, which we believe rises to the level of domestic terrorism, it turns his actions into an attempted felony murder case.”
The state’s decision to pursue the attempted murder charge comes amid tensions with federal authorities. Moody revealed that her office had sought federal cooperation to file the charge, only to be rebuffed. According to Moody, federal officials argued that prosecuting the case could compromise national security. This disagreement escalated into a lawsuit filed by Moody’s office against the Department of Justice in October, alleging unlawful interference in Florida’s criminal investigation.
The federal case against Routh includes charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations. On the day of the alleged assassination attempt, Trump was playing golf at the course when a Secret Service agent spotted the rifle near the tree line. The agent reportedly fired a shot in the suspect’s direction, prompting Routh to flee to his vehicle. Authorities later recovered a loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope, a digital camera, and two bags near the scene.
Trump was unharmed during the incident and was swiftly escorted to a secure location by Secret Service agents. Federal prosecutors claim Routh’s actions constituted a deliberate and premeditated attack on the former president.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, but the state’s latest legal move adds a new layer of complexity to his case. If convicted of attempted felony murder, Routh faces a potential life sentence. Moody emphasized her office’s commitment to seeking justice for the young girl and her family, stating, “This family will never be the same as they cope with the injuries sustained. We are compelled to hold Routh accountable for the full scope of his actions.”
The accident has also raised broader questions about the risks associated with high-stakes law enforcement operations and the potential collateral damage to bystanders. The multi-vehicle collision underscored the unpredictability of such incidents and the profound consequences for innocent families caught in the crossfire.
The federal government has not commented on the latest state charge or Moody’s lawsuit against the Department of Justice. The case continues to draw national attention as legal proceedings unfold, with both state and federal authorities navigating the complexities of overlapping jurisdiction and divergent priorities.
For now, the focus remains on the young victim and her family as they endure the long road to recovery. The new state charge against Routh seeks to address the tragic aftermath of an already harrowing sequence of events, underscoring the far-reaching impact of his alleged actions.
