Gunman Arrested After Attempted Attack on Trump at Florida Golf Course
Former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, just nine weeks after surviving an earlier assassination attempt. Trump, the Republican nominee in the upcoming US presidential election, confirmed he was unharmed following the incident.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that US Secret Service agents fired at a man who was aiming an AK-style rifle with a scope while Trump was on the course. The gunman, positioned about 400 to 500 yards away and hidden in shrubbery, fled in an SUV but was apprehended in a neighboring county. He also had two backpacks and a GoPro camera at the scene.
This marks the second attempt on Trump’s life this year. Two months ago, he was grazed by a bullet at an election rally in Pennsylvania.
In an email to supporters, Trump assured them of his safety, saying, “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 also declared, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
The Secret Service had partially closed the golf course, and agents were stationed ahead of Trump when they spotted the gunman. They routinely patrol the area ahead and behind Trump when he golfs, often bringing an armored vehicle in case of threats.
Trump was later returned to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach. Law enforcement swiftly issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect, who was arrested without incident on Interstate 95. The FBI, Secret Service, and local law enforcement are investigating the matter.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the situation, with Harris expressing relief that Trump was unharmed, stating, “Violence has no place in America.”
