Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, had a history of playing the victim and believing that people were out to get him, according to a retired officer who interacted with him over 100 times.

Ryan Routh, the man named as a suspect in what authorities believe was an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, has been described as a man who often played the victim and believed that everyone was out to get him, according to a retired police officer who interacted with him over 100 times.

Eric Rasecke, a retired Greensboro Police Department officer and Air Force veteran, told Fox News Digital that Routh's attitude was that he was above the law and could do whatever he wanted.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

"He would drive right by you and smile," Rasecke said. "We got on a first-name basis."

Rasecke said that Routh would often be cited for traffic violations, but he would never try to hide it.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

"He was brazen about it," Rasceke said.

Over the years, Rasecke said that it became clear that Routh was using drugs, and his physical appearance showed it.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

"As years went by, you could see a change in him," Rasecke said.

Routh's charges escalated over the years from minor traffic violations to more serious offenses, including possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

"In many cases involving multiple charges against Routh for a single incident, his defenders would get the court to dismiss or drop charges to alleviate the docket," Rasecke said.

"He liked to run his mouth and play the victim," Rasecke said.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

In December 2002, Routh barricaded himself inside his business with a semi-automatic rifle after being pulled over. The incident lasted approximately three hours before Routh surrendered and was apprehended without incident.

"Because of his flagrant, above-the-law mentality, the fact that he felt like he could do anything, the city was after him because of his problems, the police were always picking on him, the drugs could warp…his mind, the issue of him barricading himself inside the business…should have put a red flag on his name," Rasecke said.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

Remnants of Routh's roofing company called United Roofing in Greensboro still remain in a vacant lot on Husbands Street, though his actual business location where he barricaded himself two decades ago was located on what was formerly called Lee Street. Routh moved to Hawaii years ago, according to those who knew him.

Timothy Pruitt, branch manager of the local Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., said he had numerous interactions with Routh in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Routh's business was taking off.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

"I guaruntee he could have been a millionaire by now if he hadn't gone off the rails," Pruitt said.

Routh had "90 people working for him at one time," Pruitt said.

Ryan Routh, the Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination, Had a History of Playing the Victim

Pruitt described Routh as a "nice" guy when he knew him. He eventually learned from Routh's daughter that Routh had apparently moved from Greensboro to Arizona, then possibly Alaska, before his most recent home state of Hawaii.

About seven or eight months ago, Pruitt said, he looked Routh up on Facebook and saw that he had been posting frequently about politics and the Russia-Ukraine war. He thought about messaging Routh at the time but decided against it.

Then, on Sunday, when Pruitt saw Routh's photo on the television in connection with a suspected assassination attempt against Trump, he couldn't believe it.

"I said, ‘Oh my goodness. That’s crazy,'" Pruitt recalled.

FBI investigators carry a box of evidence from the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday, September 16, 2024. Ryan Routh was arrested earlier this week after allegedly attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump while hiding in the bushes along the golf course. (Mega for Fox News Digital)

Daniel Redford, president of the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police, told Fox News Digital that Routh is "one of many people that probably have similar criminal records," but the thing that concerns him most is the fact that Redford had access to firearms despite being a repeat convicted felon.

"If he’s a convicted felon, how did he have a gun in the first place?" Redford said.

Redford said he believes "punishments need to be stronger for felons that are in possession of a weapon."

Redford said it's not totally surprising to see a copycat assassination suspect after the first attempt on the former president's life at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.

"We’re in such a volatile political moment right now. … It's just, and I don't mean to be insensitive…bringing all the crazies out," Redfrod said. "Both sides are guilty of inciting some type of violence and aggression. People doing it for the thrill, for the attention — I don’t understand what goes through people's minds."

Criminal defense attorney Brett Rosen