The son of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspected gunman in a second assassination attempt on former President Trump, says his father hated Trump but argued that he was not a violent person.
Oran Routh told the Daily Mail that his father disliked Trump “like any reasonable person,” adding that he himself was not a fan. However, he reportedly expressed disbelief that his father could resort to violence and attack the former president.
“He’s my dad and as far as I know he’s only gotten a few tickets,” the son said. “This is crazy. I know my dad and I love him, but this isn’t like him at all.”
“He said he was at the beach, but I thought he meant the Outer Banks in Hawaii,” he said. “I didn’t ask him for more information because we had a falling out. We grew apart.”
Routh has been living in Hawaii with his longtime girlfriend for several years, the Mail reported.
“He’s not a violent person,” Oran added. “He’s a hard-working person and a great father. He’s a great guy, a nice guy and has worked his whole damn life.”
Authorities say Routh pushed the muzzle of his rifle through a chain-link fence about 300 to 500 feet away from Trump while the former president was playing golf.
Routh fled the scene and was quickly arrested.
Trump was evacuated to safety shortly after Secret Service agents shot Rout. The gunman was lying in wait just a hole away from the former president when he was discovered.
