Trump 'safe' after shooting at Florida golf club, suspect detained

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Sep 2024 23:25

Sources briefed on the situation tell CNN that officials believe an armed individual intended to target the Republican presidential candidate.

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Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on September 13, 2024. (AFP)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is unharmed following an incident on Sunday involving an exchange of gunfire between two individuals outside his Florida golf club, according to law enforcement sources cited by the New York Post.

Trump's campaign reported that there had been "gunshots in his vicinity" but added that the presidential candidate was safe.

"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time," said a statement from his campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.

"Sources said that Trump was never in danger," the New York Post mentioned.

Later, in an email to his supporters, the former president wrote, "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!. Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!"

The Secret Service announced that it is actively investigating the incident.

However, officials believe that the armed individual intended to target Trump, sources briefed on the situation also told CNN.

A law enforcement source told CNN that a person has been detained in connection with the incident and that a long gun has been recovered. The network cited several sources as saying that Secret Service officers fired at the suspect.

The FBI also said that the shooting near Trump's golf course "appears to be an attempted assassination" of the Republican presidential candidate.

"The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump," it said in a statement.

Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., posted on X, citing local law enforcement, that an AK-47 was found in nearby bushes and that a suspect had been apprehended.

Again folks!

SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement. The Trump campaign has released a statement confirming former President Trump is safe.

A suspect has reportedly been apprehended. pic.twitter.com/FwRfrO3v6y
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 15, 2024

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is set to hold a briefing regarding the shooting incident, according to a Secret Service spokesperson on X.

#BREAKING : U.S. Secret Service statement: "The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe."#Trump… pic.twitter.com/jt2N91gDNl
— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 15, 2024

The White House said US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are "relieved" to know that Trump is safe.

"The president and vice president have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe," the White House said in a statement.

The incident occurred just two months after the former President sustained a minor injury to his ear when a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

The shooting of a US president or major party presidential candidate for the first time in more than four decades marked a severe security failure, leading to the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle as Secret Service director under bipartisan congressional scrutiny.

Trump sustained a graze to his right ear, and one rally attendee was fatally shot during the incident. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was killed by a Secret Service sniper.

Trump tweets 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT'

Earlier on Sunday, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, posting, "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!"

Although the all-caps post lacked commentary or explanation, it came almost a week after the renowned singer-songwriter declared her support for Trump's Democratic opponent Vice President Kamala Harris.