NewsTreasure CoastRegion Martin CountyStuart

Actions

State of Florida announces new charges against suspect in attempted assassination of Trump

Ryan Routh to face attempted murder charges after child injured in Martin County during chase
Ryan Wesley Routh is taken into custody by Martin County deputies on Sept. 15, 2024.
Attorney General Ashley Moody holds a new conference in Martin County on Dec. 18, 2024.
Posted
and last updated

STUART, Fla. — The state of Florida is filing new charges against the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump earlier this year in Palm Beach County.

Attorney General Ashley Moody was in Martin County on Wednesday to announce additional attempted murder charges against Ryan Routh.

Following the second assassination attempt against Trump this year, Routh fled north on Interstate 95 toward Martin County.

WATCH BELOW: AG Moody announces state charges against Ryan Routh

State of Florida announces new charges against Ryan Routh

When deputies found him, they had to stop traffic in both directions on I-95, which caused a crash that seriously injured a 6-year-old girl.

During Wednesday's news conference, Moody said she hopes the attempted murder charge against Routh will bring justice to the young girl and her family.

Just two days after the assassination attempt in Palm Beach County, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Sept. 17 to launch a state-level investigation.

In October, the state of Florida filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Department of Justice from blocking a state investigation into the second assassination attempt on Trump.

"The feds have stonewalled Florida's investigation of the Trump assassination attempt at every turn, and I appreciate AG Ashley Moody and her team for plowing forward despite such resistance. The tide will turn on January 20th and we fully expect that the federal roadblocks will be removed. The would-be assassin needs to face the full force of justice and the people deserve the truth about the defendant’s history, motivations and plan," DeSantis posted on X.

WPTV reporter Brooke Chau asked Moody about when Routh might have a first appearance in court to face the charges being filed in Florida.

"He's being held on federal charges," Moody replied. "At some point, he will face his new charges filed in Martin County."

Routh remains in federal custody.

Read the full 18-page affidavit below: