An armed man allegedly spotted near where Donald Trump was golfing last week had earlier stated his intentions in a letter revealed by federal prosecutors Monday.
A witness told investigators that Ryan Wesley Routh had dropped off a box at his home months before the Sept. 15 incident. It contained ammunition, a metal pipe, building materials, tools, four phones and some letters, one of which made clear he intended to kill the former president.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you," read one letter, addressed to "the world." "I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
Prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent fired one gunshot toward the 58-year-old Routh after spotting him holding a rifle Sept. 15 near the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. A witness then spotted the gunman getting into a Nissan Xterra and drive away.
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A criminal complaint shows that Routh may have been lying in wait for Trump for nearly 12 hours before agents spotted him, and he was arrested a short time later after police saw him driving in the vehicle identified by the witness.
Routh has been charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, but more serious charges are expected.
He is scheduled to make his first appearance in court Monday.
