Key events
FBI investigating ‘what appears to be an attempted assassination’ of Trump
Hugo Lowell
US Secret Service agents opened fire on a man armed with a gun who they believed was targeting Donald Trump as he played at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The agents were several holes ahead of Trump when they spotted a gun poking through the bushes, one of the people said. The man then fled in a vehicle that was later apprehended. An AK-style rifle was found at the scene.
Trump was nearby but was safe, according to the Trump campaign. “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung said.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office is expected to hold a press conference this afternoon. Palm Beach officials were briefed by local law enforcement that they believed Trump was the target, according to a person familiar with the matter.
In a statement, the FBI said: “The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former president Trump.”
Donald Trump: ‘I am safe and well’
Donald Trump has released the following statement after reports of gunshots being fired at his Florida golf course emerged on Sunday:
“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!
Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, took to X following gunshots reported on his father’s golf course, saying:
“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.”
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
Speaking to CNN, Martin county sheriff William Snyder said that a male suspect had been detained by authorities.
According to Snyder, the suspect was relatively calm and authorities also found an AK47 assault rifle.
Snyder went on to call the situation a “very serious incident”.
Officials are set to deliver a press conference soon on the shooting incident.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates.
There is quite a bit of confusion across media outlets on the gunshots.
According to the New York Post, two people were exchanging gunfire that was meant specifically for each other.
Meanwhile, CNN has reported its own sources saying that officials believe the shots fired were intended for Trump.
Fox News host Sean Hannity said that he has spoken to Trump, adding that the former president was “safe and unharmed”.
Hannity added that Trump was on the 5th hole and about to putt when “Secret Service pounced on the president, covered him, you had snipers with tripods.”
Hannity went on to say that a gun identified as an AK47 had been found.
Kamala Harris on Trump: ‘I am glad he is safe’
Kamala Harris has issued the following statement in response to gunshots being reported on Trump National Golf Club in Florida where Donald Trump was golfing:
“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.”
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
Trump campaign says in a statement that he is safe following gunshots
The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is safe following gunshots in his vicinity, his campaign said in a statement on Sunday. It said no further details were available.
Reuters could not immediately determine where Trump was located when the campaign issued the statement. The Politico national correspondent Meridith McGraw reported that the gunshots in question were fired at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the former president and Republican nominee in November’s election was golfing on Sunday.
Meanwhile, citing sources, the New York Post added that two people exchanging gunfire meant specifically for each other engaged in a shootout. The shooters were not targeting Trump, the sources said, according to the outlet.
However, CNN reported contradictory information. Citing its own sources, the network reported that officials believed the shots at the golf club were indeed intended for Trump.
