Ryan Routh , the 58-year-old man accused of trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump this weekend, appeared in court Monday where he faces two gun-related charges.
Routh was charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The Associated Press reports Routh, whos being represented by a public defender, faces up to 15 years in prison on the first charge, and five on the second. Prosecutors may push for additional charges as the investigation continues.
U.S. Secret Service agents fired at Routh on Sunday after they encountered him with an AK-style assault rifle in the bushes at Trumps golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Authorities said Routh fled in an SUV but was stopped and arrested later that day. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told reporters he showed little emotion when officers pulled him over.
He never asked, What is this about? said Snyder. Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it.
Social media accounts that appear to belong to Routh suggest hes had shifting political allegiances, having voted for Trump in 2016 and supported former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbards bid for president in 2020.
A former neighbor of Rouths in Greensboro, North Carolina, told local Fox affiliate WGHP she found Routh unusual and at times frightening, but never thought hed rise to the level of would-be assassin.
Him, I mean, trying to shoot Trump. Thats a lot. I would have never guessed, and I would have swore up and down, no, thats not him, said the woman, who spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity.
She did note, however, that he was long a fan of guns.
Ive seen the guns myself and all, and yeah, they had a lot of guns and stuff over there, and, yeah, a lot of people were afraid of him back in the day, she said.
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