The FBI has reported that former President Donald Trump was the target of what they described as “an apparent assassination attempt” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. This incident, which took place just nine weeks after a similar attempt on Trump’s life, involved a gunman spotted by U.S. Secret Service agents as Trump played on the course. Trump later assured supporters that he was unharmed.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw detailed that Secret Service agents fired at the man, who was armed with an AK-style rifle equipped with a scope. The suspect, positioned about 400 to 500 yards from Trump, was hiding in bushes near the golf course while Trump played nearby. He was also in possession of two backpacks and a GoPro camera. After being spotted, the man fled in an SUV but was apprehended later in a neighboring county.
Following the incident, Trump communicated directly with his supporters via email, stating, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” He emphasized that he would not be deterred from his campaign, reiterating, “I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
The former president had recently returned to Florida from campaign events on the West Coast. The golf course was partially shut down for Trump’s use, and security agents were patrolling ahead of him when they noticed the armed individual.
This event is the latest in a tumultuous campaign year for Trump, who was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania two months ago, resulting in a bullet grazing his ear. U.S. President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the presidential race shortly after that incident, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the current Democratic nominee, were briefed on the situation. Harris expressed relief that Trump was safe, stating that “violence has no place in America.”
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was apprehended after an urgent alert was issued across multiple counties. Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder reported that his deputies quickly located and stopped the vehicle on Interstate 95. The suspect was reportedly calm and showed little emotion when detained, according to Snyder, who noted that the man did not resist arrest or inquire about the reason for the stop.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is being updated regularly on the situation. The investigation into the incident continues, as authorities seek to understand the suspect’s motives and potential affiliations.
Trump is expected to continue his campaign activities, with plans to speak about cryptocurrency on Monday and appearances scheduled later in the week, including rallies in Michigan, New York, and North Carolina.