The FBI said Sunday it was investigating "what appears to be an attempted assassination" of Donald Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived another such attempt.
Trump told supporters in a message from his campaign that he was well and safe. "Nothing will slow me down, I WILL NEVER SURRENDER,' he writes in all caps.
Police forces in Florida after shooting incident at Trump's golf course
(Reuters)
The former president was safe and unharmed after the U.S. Secret Service opened fire at a man pointing an AK-style rifle into the club as Trump was on the course, three law enforcement officials said.
The person dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV, and was later taken into custody in a neighboring county. The officials were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The golf course was partially shut down for Trump as he played, and agents were a few holes ahead of him when they noticed the person with the firearm, the officials said. There are several areas around the property's perimeter where golfers are visible from the fence line. Secret Service agents and officers in golf carts and on ATVs generally secure the area several holes ahead and behind Trump when he golfs. Agents also usually bring an armored vehicle onto the course to quickly shelter Trump should a threat arise.
This weekend, Trump returned to Florida from a West Coast swing that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a Utah fundraiser. His campaign had not advised Trump's plans for Sunday. He often spends the morning playing golf, before having lunch at the club, one of three he owns in the state.
CNN reported earlier that officials believe the armed man intended to target the former president. One person was detained in connection to the shooting, the network said quoting a law enforcement source.
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Suspect arrested in Palm Beach, following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Earlier, the New York Post said that Trump was never in danger. "The incident took place outside the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach," it added. "A Secret Service agent opened fire because the shooter fired shots several times," the Post reported.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13, just months ahead of what looks likely to be a highly contested Nov. 5 election in which he will be pitted against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump's son Don Jr. said in a post on X that an AK47 was found in the nearby bushes.
It was unclear from the reporting, whether Trump was at the Gulf Club when the shooting occurred or in the area. "A secret service agent opened fire because the shooter fired shots several times."
NBC reported that after hearing the shots, the former president was moved to safety. A senior law enforcement official told the network that Trump was at the club at the time but he did not have evidence that the Republican presidential candidate was a target of an attack.
The Secret Service said they were cooperating with the local Palm Beach police and investigating the incident. the club was closed.
The first shooting of a U.S. president or major party presidential candidate in more than four decades was a glaring security lapse that forced Kimberly Cheatle to resign as Secret Service director under bipartisan congressional pressure.
Trump was grazed in the right ear and one rallygoer was killed in the gunfire. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed about the incident and were "relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team.
Harris said she was glad Trump was safe in a post on X.
"I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America."