Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was safe after an assassination attempt that the FBI says appears to have taken place on Sunday near Trump’s golf course in Palm Beach, Florida.
“The FBI responded to West Palm Beach, Florida, and is investigating what appears to be an assassination attempt on former President Trump,” the agency said in a statement.
Shots were fired outside the stadium, law enforcement sources said. Trump’s campaign had previously said he was safe after the shootings in his area but did not provide details.
He is being held as a suspect.
The Associated Press reported that US Secret Service agents opened fire after seeing a person with a firearm near Trump’s golf club, citing two unidentified law enforcement sources, adding that no injuries were reported.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report, which said the suspect fled in an SUV and was arrested in another county. CNN cited Martin County Sheriff William Snyder as saying his agency had arrested the suspect wanted in Palm Beach County.
The Secret Service said it was investigating the incident, which happened shortly before 2pm.
Trump’s message
Trump sent an email to his fundraising list, saying “there have been shots fired in my area, but before the rumors start to get out of hand, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM ALIVE AND UNHARMED!” according to an email seen by Reuters.
Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13, raising questions about the protection of candidates just months before what appears to be a highly contested election on November 5 in which he will face Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden-Harris were informed
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are “relieved to know” that Donald Trump is safe and have been briefed on the security incident involving the former president while playing golf on Sunday, according to the White House.
Biden and Harris, who are in Washington today without public engagements, will be briefed by their team.
“The President and Vice President have been briefed on the security incident at Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump played golf. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be updated regularly by their staff,” the White House statement said.
In her own statement posted to social media on Sunday, Harris said: “I have been made aware of reports of shots fired near former President Trump and his Florida property and am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
I have been made aware of reports of shots fired near former President Trump and his Florida property, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.
– Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024
