Man who tried to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty – DW – 09/30/2024

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

Ryan R. entered the federal courtroom in West Palm Beach handcuffed in a brown jumpsuit and waved to reporters who had gathered to watch the proceedings.

He requested a jury trial.

According to authorities, the 58-year-old camped outside Trump's golf course for 12 hours before the Secret Service discovered him with a rifle on September 15.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the shooter had been charged with, among other things, attempted assassination of a presidential candidate. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Previous assassination attempt

It was the second suspected assassination attempt against Trump in just a few months, although in this case, according to US intelligence, the shooter never had the presidential candidate in sight.

The gunman who grazed Trump's ear with a bullet in an earlier attack in July was shot at the scene when police returned fire and died of his injuries.

jsi/msh (AFP, Reuters, AP)