FBI confirm gunman shot after Donald Trump 'second assassination attempt' in Florida
US Secret Service agents have shot a gunman at Donald Trump's Florida golf course in what the FBI is calling a second assassination attempt.
Trump was swiftly taken to safety after agents opened fire on a man spotted with what appeared to be a gun while the former president was on the course, according to law enforcement sources. The FBI has confirmed that the incident, which occurred around 2pm local time at the West Palm Beach golf club, was an apparent assassination attempt, reports the Mirror.
Just nine weeks after surviving a similar attack, Trump was reportedly moved to a secure room as the Secret Service engaged a suspect who attempted to push the barrel of a gun through a fence aimed at the Republican presidential nominee.
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"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time," Steven Cheung wrote in a statement posted on the X account @TrumpWarRoom, one of Trump's official campaign outlets.
The suspect fled in an SUV but was later apprehended, officials confirmed. An AK-style firearm was recovered at the scene.
As Trump played golf, the course was partially shut down, with Secret Service agents positioned a few holes ahead when they spotted an individual with a firearm, officials reported. Several areas around the course’s perimeter allow golfers to be visible from the fence line. Secret Service agents, along with officers in golf carts and on ATVs, typically secure the area several holes ahead and behind Trump during his games. An armored vehicle is also brought onto the course to quickly protect him in case of a threat.
Donald Trump Jr. posted on X: "Once again, folks! SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Local law enforcement found an AK-47 in the bushes. The Trump campaign has confirmed former President Trump is safe. A suspect has reportedly been apprehended."
The Martin County Sheriff's Office announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that they had stopped a vehicle on northbound Interstate 95 and taken a suspect into custody believed to be connected to the shooting. Sheriff William Snyder stated that police surrounded the car after forcing it off the road, and the man was arrested without incident.
Sheriff Snyder noted the suspect remained calm and unemotional during the arrest, not questioning why he was being stopped. "He never asked, 'What is this about?' Despite law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, and a lot going on, he never questioned it," Snyder said.
The sheriff's office said it made the stop after authorities in neighbouring Palm Beach County put out a "be on the lookout" alert. Photos included in the post showed an SUV stopped behind multiple law enforcement vehicles. The post by the Martin County Sheriff's Office indicated the suspect was apprehended near Palm City, Florida, about a 45-mile drive north of Trump's golf course. Northbound lanes of I-95 were shut down, the sheriff's office said.
In an email to supporters, Trump said: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!"
US Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on X: "Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country."
Max Egusquiza, of Palm Beach, describing the emergency response outside the golf course, said: "From what I saw five black unmarked SUVs blocked in a grey Mercedes in front of the golf course. There were about 20 or more cop cars flying from nearby streets," he said.
Trump had returned to Florida this weekend from the US West Coast that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a Utah fundraiser. His campaign had not advised Trump's plans for Sunday but he often spends the morning playing golf, before having lunch at the club, one of three he owns in the state.
Since the assassination attempt in July, former President Trump has significantly increased his security measures. At Trump Tower in New York, a barricade of garbage trucks is set up outside, and at outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind bulletproof glass.
Following the recent incident, Trump was safely returned to his private Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, according to a source familiar with the situation. The White House confirmed that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed and would continue receiving updates. The White House expressed relief that Trump is safe, with Harris adding in a statement, "Violence has no place in America," and that she was "glad" Trump was unharmed.
Trump is scheduled to speak about cryptocurrency Monday night on X to promote his sons' new crypto platform. He is expected to do so from Mar-a-Lago. On Tuesday, Trump will return to the campaign trail with a town hall in Flint, Michigan, alongside former press secretary and current Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. This will be followed by a campaign rally in Long Island, New York, on Wednesday.
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