Donald Trump safe after 'shots fired in his vicinity at Florida golf club' just weeks after assassination attempt
15 September 2024, 19:53 | Updated: 15 September 2024, 21:51
Donald Trump is 'safe' after former president reportedly had gunshots fired near him just weeks after a near-miss assassination attempt.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Steven Cheung, the Trump Campaign's Communications Director, said: "President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time."
The US Secret Service has also publicly confirmed Donald Trump is safe after the incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
A suspect is reportedly in custody and investigators have found an AK-style firearm near the course, law enforcement officials told reporters.
Officials are still investigating whether the suspect fired first, fired at all, or whether only Secret Service fired.
William Snyder, of the Martin County Sheriff's Office, said: "We were able to contain it using some of our bigger vehicles that we use for specialised stops. We got the vehicle stopped.
"Since then the FBI and the Secret Service have responded to the scene. It does appear that we certainly have the vehicle involved in the incident in Mar-a-Lago and we have the suspect that they were looking for. And now the FBI and the Secret Service will take over that investigation."
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.
Kamala Harris posted on X, formerly Twitter: "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".
The White House added they are "relieved" to know Mr Trump is safe.
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.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024
The New York Post and ABC News are reporting that the former President was at the resort when shots were exchanged between two people nearby.
The source told NBC that preliminary reports say that the US Secret Service moved Mr Trump to safety after gunfire was heard while he was on his golf course.
The latest firearms incident comes after Trump was inches away from death after being hit in the ear by a sniper during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Mr Trump has had a stepped-up security footprint since the assassination attempt.
When he has been at Trump Tower in New York, a line-up of trucks have parked in a wall outside the building.
And at outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind an enclosure of bulletproof glass.
