Florida AG charges suspect in Trump assassination attempt with felony attempted murder

PALM BEACH, Fla. (TNND) — Florida's attorney general announced an attempted felony murder charge against the man accused in the second assassination attempt on President-elect Donald Trump.

According to Attorney General Ashley Moody, a girl was "seriously injured" and "almost died" when the suspect Ryan Routh fled the scene outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago golf course on September 15.

Routh allegedly fled north on Interstate 95 toward Martin County.

When deputies found him, they had to stop traffic in both directions on the interstate, which caused a crash that seriously injured a 6-year-old girl, explained Moody.

"We felt compelled to seek justice on her behalf and her family that will never be the same as they cope with her injuries," Moody said.

According to the prosecutor, the injuries they allege Routh caused and his alleged actions on that day are considered domestic terrorism.

The federal prosecutor added that her office reached out to the federal government, pleading they pursue the new charges. According to Moody, the U.S. government advised them not to bring charges against Routh so that the second assassination attempt case is protected as well as national security.

"As a former federal prosecutor, I have never seen such unwillingness or lack of communication, and a joint effort to pursue charges against the same individual for the same criminal act," Moody said during a news conference on Wednesday.

The Florida Highway Patrol presented the 18-page affidavit to Judge Sherwood Bauer Wednesday morning.

Moody is hopeful that the federal government will assist next month when Trump's administration takes over.

"Attorney General Pam Bondi, my predecessor here in the state of Florida may soon be the Attorney General to the Department of Justice, and we may also see a new director at the FBI," Moody said. "I personally have strongly supported these nominations, leading efforts and writing to the Senate to promptly and thoroughly consider these nominations and to those senators that would advise and provide consent on the nominations of President-elect Trump."

Gov. Ron DeSantis had planned to attend the news conference, but could not make the trip to Martin County due to inclement weather.

Routh remains in federal custody.