West Palm Beach, FL– Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old former roofer with a lengthy criminal history, has been arrested following an alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. Routh, once active in the North Carolina roofing industry, has been involved in multiple legal confrontations over the years, including weapon-related charges. The recent arrest, tied to a foiled plot near a Trump golf course, has once again brought Routh’s troubled past into the spotlight.
Who is Ryan Routh?
Routh’s criminal history stretches back to 2002 when he was involved in a dramatic standoff with police in Greensboro, North Carolina. After fleeing a traffic stop, Routh barricaded himself inside United Roofing, a business he owned, armed with a fully automatic machine gun. He was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon, among other charges.
Between 2002 and 2010, Routh accumulated various convictions, including felony possession of stolen goods and misdemeanors like hit and run and resisting law enforcement. Despite these charges, Routh continued to be active in his professional endeavors, especially in the roofing industry, before later moving to Hawaii.
On his LinkedIn page, Routh claims to have relocated to Oahu, Hawaii, where he has been involved in building simple housing structures for the less fortunate and working on community improvement projects. Nevertheless, he remains an active unaffiliated voter in North Carolina and has made donations through the Democratic fundraising platform, ActBlue, during the 2024 election cycle.
Ties to the Roofing Industry
Routh’s involvement in the roofing industry dates back to 1990 when he registered Routh Roofing, Inc. in Greensboro, North Carolina. According to records from Bizapedia, Routh Roofing, Inc. was filed on March 29, 1990, with its principal address and registered agent listed as Routh himself at 210 E. Bessemer St., Greensboro, NC. However, the company’s status is currently listed as “Multiple,” indicating it is no longer active.
Routh was also the registered agent for United Roofing, Inc., a North Carolina business filed on March 21, 1997. This company was based at 1735 W. Lee St., Greensboro, NC, with Routh acting as the agent from 1113 Coliseum Blvd. Like Routh Roofing, the company is no longer active.
Routh was granted a United States Design Patent on December 15, 2009 for an ornamental roof pipe boot.
In 2015, Routh registered a third roofing business, United Roofing and Construction Inc., at 2507 Husbands Street, Greensboro, NC, with its principal address at 2106 Hiatt Street, Greensboro, NC. This company also faced the same inactive status as his previous ventures.
Routh’s Standoff with Police
One of the most notable incidents from Routh’s past occurred in 2002 at United Roofing. Local police pulled Routh over during a traffic stop, but he fled to the roofing business, where he barricaded himself for three hours. Armed with a fully automatic machine gun, he resisted arrest and was eventually apprehended by a Special Response Team. Routh was charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a weapon of mass destruction, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting law enforcement.
Recent International Activities
Routh has not limited his activities to North Carolina. In recent years, he has made headlines for his involvement in recruiting civilian volunteers to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia. In interviews with Newsweek Romania (2022) and The New York Times (2023), Routh advocated for civilians to take action if governments fail to provide military support. His stance has positioned him as an activist in international conflicts, adding a complex layer to his public image.
The Assassination Attempt on President Trump
The latest incident involving Routh occurred on Sunday when Secret Service agents spotted him near a Trump golf course with an AK-47-style rifle. The agents fired at Routh, who fled the scene, leaving behind two backpacks and a GoPro camera. He was quickly apprehended after a witness provided authorities with a photograph of his black Nissan and license plate. Law enforcement later recovered the rifle hidden in the bushes of the golf course.
The incident has drawn attention to previous security breaches, such as a failed assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania in June. In that instance, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at Trump, striking him in the ear before being killed by snipers.
With Trump scheduled for a rally in Wilmington this Saturday, heightened security measures are expected in light of this and previous attempts on the former president’s life.
