Donald Trump in third assassination attempt as man with guns and fake passes captured

The former president was saved from another potential threat
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Quick-thinking officials have saved Donald Trump from a third assassination attempt, according to reports.

It's understood the former US President was campaigning in Coachella, California, when a man in possession of multiple firearms was arrested nearby. The 49-year-old, from Las Vegas, was driving a black SUV. As reported by the Mirror, he was identified at a checkpoint near an intersection in the city as Vem Miller.

It's alleged he was in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun and a high-capacity magazine. He was taken into custody and booked at the John J Benoit Detention Centre on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a high-capacity magazine.

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ABC7 Los Angeles reported via the Riverside County Sheriff's Department inmate database that Miller was released on a $5,000 (£3,834) bail, and is scheduled to appear at the Indio Larson Justice Centre on January 2, 2025. The sheriff's department added that the incident did not impact the safety of Mr Trump nor any of the people who attended his rally held over the weekend.

Donald Trump in Coachella
Trump was campaigning in Coachella when the man was arrested -Credit:Getty Images

No injuries or shots fired were reported in connection with the incident - however, local officials still believe that they may have foiled a third assassination attempt on the former president. Trump supporting Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco assessing the incident said it would “probably” have turned into an attempt on her life.

Bianco told the Southern California News Group that Miller had presented a fake VIP and press passes at the checkpoint, which eventually lead authorities to search his car. He said: "We probably stopped another assassination attempt." Riverside County Sherriff's Office said in a statement: "On Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 4.59pm, deputies assigned to former President Donald Trump's rally in the Coachella Valley contacted the driver of a black SUV at a checkpoint at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive.

"[The man] was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center for possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine. This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event."

Trump and his team are yet to comment on the incident, but the Secret Service confirmed it was contacted as it developed. A spokesperson for the service said in a statement: "We were contacted as it happened and secret service agents conducted a productive intelligence interview.

"It had no impact on the event and we are looking into the circumstances and the backgrounds of the individuals." The arrest comes after two thwarted assassination attempts on the former president. In July, shots were fired during a rally for Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one spectator and the gunman were killed.

Last month, a man was arrested after he allegedly planned to kill the presidential candidate while he was at his golf course in Florida.

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