The Latest: Trump safe after gunshots reported, Biden and Harris have been briefed
Gunshots were reported near Donald Trump on Sunday afternoon. The former president is safe.
U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire after spotting a person with a firearm at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club in Florida, while the Republican presidential candidate was playing golf. No injuries were reported. Officials said the person fled in an SUV and was later apprehended by local police.
It was not immediately clear whether the reported shots were aimed at Trump. The U.S. Secret Service said it was investigating and that the incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. “The former president is safe,” the Secret Service said.
About two months ago, Trump was shot during an attempted murder at a rally in Pennsylvania, and a bullet grazed his ear.
Here’s the latest news:
An AK-style firearm was found at the crime scene near Trump’s golf course, two law enforcement officials said. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity about an ongoing investigation.
The golf course was partially closed off for Trump as he played, and officers were a few holes ahead of him when they saw a person with the gun, officials said. The person appeared to push the barrel of the gun through a fence and that’s when officers fired, officials said.
Law enforcement officials were expected to speak to reporters Sunday afternoon about the incident and the arrest of the suspect.
In an email to his supporters, Trump said: “There were gunshots in my area, but before the rumors get out of hand, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”
“Nothing will stop me. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” the former president said.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Sunday that it stopped a vehicle on northbound Interstate 95 and arrested a suspect believed to be involved in the shooting.
The sheriff’s office said it made the stop after authorities in neighboring Palm Beach County issued a “be on the lookout” warning. Photos accompanying the post showed an SUV pulled up behind several police vehicles.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect was arrested near Palm City, Florida, about 45 miles north of Trump’s golf course. Northbound lanes of I-95 were closed, the sheriff’s office said.
U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire after spotting a person with a firearm at Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf club while the Republican presidential candidate was playing golf on Sunday, two law enforcement officials said. No injuries were reported.
The person fled in an SUV and was later apprehended by local police in a nearby county, officials said. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity about an ongoing investigation.
The incident occurred about two months after the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
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In an X message, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s key allies in Congress, said he had spoken to Trump after the incident and that Trump was in “great spirits” and “one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.”
Trump often spends the morning golfing, then has lunch at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, one of three clubs he owns in the state.
Donald Trump was safe after gunshots were reported in his area Sunday afternoon in Florida, his campaign and the Secret Service said.
The U.S. Secret Service said it was investigating and that the incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe, the Secret Service said.
About two months ago, Trump was shot during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, with a bullet grazing his ear.
Trump returned to Florida this weekend after a visit to the West Coast, where he attended a rally in Las Vegas on Friday night and a fundraiser in Utah.
The campaign did not immediately provide additional details.
According to a spokesman for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, no injuries were reported in the shooting.
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had both been briefed and would be kept updated on the investigation. The White House added that they were “relieved” to know Trump is safe.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said officials were trying to determine whether the shots were fired near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course or on the property. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.