In Fort Pierce, Florida, a suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in September last year has been granted permission by a federal judge to have an expert examine the rifle recovered from the scene. The expert’s examination is limited to determining the operability of the rifle, with a deadline set for May 15. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, and his attorneys had requested to inspect, photograph, and test the rifle to evaluate a government expert’s findings and gather other relevant information.

According to prosecutors, Routh had allegedly planned the assassination meticulously for weeks before the incident occurred. On September 15, 2024, as Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach country club, Routh aimed a rifle through the shrubbery towards Trump. However, a Secret Service agent noticed Routh before Trump came into view, leading to a confrontation where the agent fired at Routh, causing him to drop the weapon and flee without firing a shot. Routh left a note describing his intentions at the scene and was later apprehended while driving on a nearby interstate.

The trial for Ryan Wesley Routh is scheduled for September, following the limited examination of the rifle’s operability as ordered by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.