The FBI said there was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, and the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign and law enforcement agencies said he was safe and unharmed.
The US Secret Service confirmed that one or more of its agents “exchanged shots at a gunman” near the boundary of Trump’s golf course, and that an “AK-47 style rifle” and a GoPro video camera were recovered.
During the confrontation with the Secret Service, the suspect came out of the bushes and fled in a black car. A witness helped police identify the vehicle and officers located it.
“We have one person in custody at this time who is a possible suspect,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told a news conference.
Bradshaw said Trump was playing golf at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, when the potential shooter was spotted in the bushes one hole ahead of the former president.
His campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, “President Trump is safe following the gunfire around him,” while Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed relief that her political rival was out of danger.
Trump himself said in a fundraising message on his website: “Don’t worry! I’m safe and sound, and no one is hurt. Thank God!”
This horrific incident is the second attempt to assassinate Trump in the last few months. The former president suffered an ear injury while addressing an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13.
It is not certain if the shot was taken or not
Officials addressing Sunday’s press conference did not confirm whether the gunman actually opened fire toward the former president, but they said the shots were fired by the Secret Service.
“At this point we’re not certain whether or not the individual was capable of shooting at our agents,” said Raphael Burrows of the Secret Service.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is “investigating an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
Officials praised the swift actions of the Secret Service, an agency that has been under intense scrutiny after it apparently failed to locate and stop a gunman who opened fire on Trump in Pennsylvania.
Sheriff Bradshaw said Secret Service personnel in Trump’s security cordon “observed the barrel of a rifle protruding from the fence and immediately engaged the individual, at which time he fled.”
He estimated the suspect was hiding 300 to 500 yards (275 to 455 m) away, but “with a rifle and binoculars, that’s not much distance.”
Sheriff William Snyder of neighboring Martin County said on CNN that the potential suspect was stopped and taken into custody by law enforcement, adding, “His demeanor was relatively calm and steady. He wasn’t displaying a lot of emotion.”
‘relieved’
Law enforcement agencies are launching a massive investigation, but as of Sunday afternoon there was no indication of the attacker’s motive.
The incident took place amid growing tensions in the presidential race and concerns over the safety of both candidates.
“There is no place in our country for political violence, or violence of any kind,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
“I have directed my team to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities, and protective measures necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”
“I’m so glad he’s safe,” Vice President Harris said on social media.
Many of Trump’s supporters and those close to him, including fellow candidate J.D. Vance, expressed their support and gratitude that tragedy was averted.
“I’m glad President Trump is safe,” Vance said on X. “I spoke to him before the news went public and, surprisingly, he was in good spirits.”
The Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting presidents, former presidents and other dignitaries, has faced criticism since the Pennsylvania shooting.
The head of the agency, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned amid the ensuing investigation, and at least five agents were placed on administrative leave.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking Republican in the U.S. House, on Sunday thanked law enforcement agencies for their actions but also raised questions about the latest incident.
“We must ask ourselves how a killer was allowed to get so close to President Trump again,” he said in a statement.
“There are still no answers about the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we hope there will be a clearer explanation for what happened today in Florida.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
