1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Crime

Man accused of trying to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty

September 30, 2024

The 58-year-old was arrested on September 15, accused of plotting to kill the Republican presidential candidate at his Florida golf course.

Law enforcement personnel continue to investigate the area where the Secret Service discovered a would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida
The prosecutors alleged that Ryan R. had written of his plans to kill Trump in a handwritten note, penned months earlierImage: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida pleaded not guilty on Monday. 

Ryan R. entered the federal courtroom in West Palm Beach handcuffed in a tan jumpsuit and waved his hands at reporters gathered to watch the proceedings. With shackles on his wrists and ankles, the suspect answered "yes, your honor," when the judge asked him if he was aware of the charges against him.

He requested a trial by jury.

The case has been assigned at random to Judge Aileen Cannon — a Trump appointee who threw out criminal proceedings against the former president earlier this year over his retention of classified documents at his private residence.

Donald Trump unharmed after second assassination attempt

04:49

This browser does not support the video element.

Suspect's movements tracked

Authorities say the 58-year-old spent 12 hours camped outside Trump's golf course before Secret Service spotted him with a rifle on September 15.

FBI analysis of the suspect's cell phone showed he had been in Florida since August 18, and his devices were located several times between that date and September 15 near Mar-a-Lago, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors have said the accused, a struggling roofing contractor, intended to kill the former president.

The alleged gunman was initially charged in a criminal complaint only with gun offenses but last week the US Justice Department announced that he had been indicted on charges that included the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, a charge which carries a potential life sentence upon conviction.

FBI investigates second assassination attempt on Trump

03:35

This browser does not support the video element.

Previous assassination attempt

From this assassination bid, Trump emerged unharmed, unlike a previous effort in July.

The US Secret Service said the Florida shooter never had a line of sight on the presidential candidate and that they had identified him while scouting ahead of Trump on the golf course.

The assassination attempt was thwarted when a US Secret Service agent saw the suspect's rifle barrel protruding through the fence, ahead of where Trump was playing, authorities say. The agent fired in the direction the potential assassin, who initially fled before being arrested in a neighboring county.

The shooter in an earlier attempt in July, who grazed Trump's ear with one bullet, was shot at the scene as law enforcement returned fire and died of his wounds.

Harris or Trump: Which worldview will the US choose?

26:04

This browser does not support the video element.

jsi/msh (AFP, Reuters, AP)

Skip next section Explore more
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW