September 16, 2024 — Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt at his golf course in Florida on Sunday, according to the FBI. Trump was unharmed during the incident, and law enforcement has apprehended a suspect.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that agents opened fire on a gunman near the boundary of Trump’s golf course. An AK-47-style rifle with a scope and a GoPro camera were recovered from the scene. The suspect managed to flee but was later captured after a witness identified the getaway vehicle.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated at a press conference, “We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect.” Trump had been playing golf near his Mar-a-Lago residence when the suspect was spotted hiding in bushes near the course.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,” said Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung. Trump himself reassured supporters, saying, “Fear not! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!”
Second Incident in Two Months
This incident follows a similar assassination attempt in July when Trump was wounded in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect fired any shots during the latest attack, but Secret Service agents did discharge their weapons.
“We are not sure if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” said Rafael Barros, a Secret Service official.
The FBI is currently investigating the incident, calling it an “attempted assassination” of the former president. Sheriff Bradshaw praised the Secret Service’s quick response, explaining that agents spotted a rifle barrel protruding from the bushes and engaged the suspect, forcing him to flee.
Political Reaction and Investigation
The incident has heightened concerns over political violence as the U.S. presidential race heats up. President Joe Biden expressed his relief that Trump was unharmed and said, “There is no place for political violence in our country.” Biden also directed his team to ensure the Secret Service has all necessary resources to protect Trump.
Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, and several other prominent Republicans also expressed gratitude for the swift action of law enforcement. Representative Elise Stefanik raised concerns about the security breach, calling for a thorough investigation into how the suspect was able to get so close to Trump.
The Secret Service has been under scrutiny since the July assassination attempt, leading to the resignation of the agency’s chief, Kimberly Cheatle, and the suspension of several agents. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Sunday’s incident to determine the suspect’s motive.
As of now, no further information has been released regarding the suspect’s identity or background.
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