A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Ryan Routh of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a 2024 golf outing in Florida, capping a swift trial that turned chaotic as the defendant attempted to stab himself in court.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for just two hours before finding Routh, 59, guilty on all counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.

As the verdict was read aloud in the federal courtroom, Routh lunged toward his own neck with a flexible inmate-issued pen, prompting a rapid response from courtroom security. Officers subdued him as his daughter screamed from the gallery, “Dad, I love you, don’t do anything. I’ll get you out. He didn’t hurt anybody.” Routh was removed from the courtroom and taken into custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, and faces a maximum of life in prison.

Reacting to the conviction from New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said the verdict was an important step in upholding national security.

“It’s very important. You can’t let things like that happen. Nothing to do with me — but a president, or even a person — you can’t allow that to happen. Justice was served,” Trump told reporters.

Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Routh had spent several weeks planning the attack before positioning himself with a scoped rifle in shrubbery near the sixth green at Trump’s West Palm Beach country club on September 15, 2024.

Secret Service agent Robert Fercano, assigned to Trump’s protective detail, testified that he spotted Routh with the weapon and opened fire moments before Trump came into view. The sudden gunfire forced Routh to drop his rifle and flee the scene. He was arrested hours later along a nearby interstate after a bystander alerted authorities.

“His intent was crystal clear: he sought to alter the course of a democratic election by eliminating a candidate,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Mendoza during closing arguments.

The incident occurred just nine weeks after a separate assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly escaped serious injury when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally.

That July attack sparked sweeping reviews of Secret Service protocols and intensified security measures for all major candidates leading into the 2024 election.

Routh, a former mechanic with no prior criminal record, showed little emotion during the trial until the verdict was announced. His defense team argued he suffered from mental illness and had no intention of harming anyone, claims the jury appeared to reject outright.

He now awaits formal sentencing in December, where prosecutors are expected to seek the maximum penalty. Defense attorneys have signaled they may pursue an appeal.