Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump in 2024, shocked a Florida courtroom on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, by stabbing himself in the neck with a pen moments after jurors returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

Routh, 59, was arrested in Palm Beach last year after Secret Service agents discovered him hiding in bushes near one of Trump’s golf courses, armed with a gun and camera, while the Republican frontrunner played a round.

As the verdict was read, Routh suddenly lunged at his own neck with a pen, causing chaos in the courtroom. His daughter, Sarah Ellen Routh, screamed profanities before breaking down in tears and storming out. His son, Adam Routh, was also seen leaving shortly after.

Routh was convicted on multiple charges, including:

  • Attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate

  • Felony possession of a firearm and ammunition

  • Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number

  • Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

  • Assaulting a federal officer

He now faces a maximum life sentence, with formal sentencing scheduled for December 18.

Reacting to the verdict, Trump congratulated Attorney General Pam Bondi and praised the court process:

“The trial was meticulously handled, and I would like to thank the Judge and Jury for their time, professionalism, and patience. This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him.”