The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time when U.S. Secret Service agents stationed at the golf course where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of a rifle sticking out of the bushes lining the course.
The FBI says Donald Trump’s golf club in Florida “appears to be the target of an assassination attempt.”
The incident occurred at around 2pm local time (8pm CET) when US Secret Service agents stationed a few holes away from the venue where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle extending into the golf course In the bushes on both sides.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that after an agent opened fire, the gunman dropped his rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving behind the gun, two backpacks, and a gun for aiming. scope and a GoPro camera.
The man was later stopped by law enforcement in neighboring Martin County.
“It appears we do have the vehicle involved in the Mar-a-Lago incident. And we have the suspect they are looking for. Now the FBI and Secret Service will take over this investigation,” Martin County Sheriff William Snee said. Virtue.
“What we need now is for the public to avoid the areas around golf courses,” said Jeffrey Viltrie, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
“We will continue to utilize the full resources of the FBI and our partners with the U.S. Secret Service, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and state and local law enforcement to support this investigation,” he added.
Truck inside Trump Tower
Sunday’s assassination attempt was the latest incident in a campaign year marked by unprecedented violence.
On July 13, Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the bullet grazed his ear.
The incident raises new questions about Secret Service protective operations after the agency admitted it failed to prevent the assassination attempt.
“There are gunshots going off near me, but before the rumors start getting out of control, I want you to hear this: I am safe and everything is fine,” Trump said in an email to supporters.
“Nothing can slow me down. I will never surrender,” he said.
According to a person familiar with Trump’s movements, he returned to Mar-a-Lago, a private club in Palm Beach where he lives.
It’s unclear whether this development will affect his campaign schedule.
Trump is scheduled to give a live speech on cryptocurrencies at the social media site X in Florida on Monday night.
Current President Joe Biden wrote in X’s statement: “I am relieved that the former President was not injured. This incident is under active investigation as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. “
In mid-July, Biden withdrew from the November presidential race, making way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the party’s nominee.
“I have been informed of reports of a shooting near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe,” she said in a statement from
Trump has beefed up his security footprint since the assassination attempt in July.
When he was at Trump Tower in New York, parked dump trucks formed a wall outside the building. At outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind bulletproof glass.
Florida golf courses are partially closed when Trump plays, but there are several areas around the course where golfers can be seen from the fence lines.
When Trump plays, Secret Service agents and officers on golf carts and ATVs typically secure the area on several holes in front and behind Trump.
Secret Service agents also typically drive armored vehicles to the ballpark to quickly provide Trump with cover if a threat arises.