An armed man with an AK-style rifle pointed the weapon toward former President Donald Trump as he was on the golf course and practicing his game at a club in West Palm Beach, Florida. With a quick response, the U.S. Secret Service fired back, avoiding harm to the life of former President Trump. The FBI is investigating what it considers an “attempted assassination” of the former president, now the current Republican presidential candidate, according to three law enforcement officials. Thankfully, no one was injured, and Trump remains unharmed.
Suspect Arrested After Fleeing The Scene
The attacker dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV. He was apprehended in a neighboring county shortly after the incident. Local authorities reported that an AK-style rifle was discovered near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where the suspect was apprehended. Officials reported that he was taken into custody in collaboration with local police by the FBI and Secret Service. Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder explained that the suspect did not even put up a fight once they stopped him and remained quite unruffled even, without saying a word in response to his arrest.
Increased Security For Trump
A sweep of campaign rallies on the West Coast had concluded in Florida, and when the shooting occurred, Trump was out golfing at a course partially closed because of the heightened security implemented. Secret Service agents ahead of several holes of golf had spotted the armed perpetrator across the perimeter of the property. This incident was one of the rising threats that were made against Trump during his campaign. For two months since the attempt at assassination in Pennsylvania, security measures for the former president have been significantly intensified. Among these are bulletproof glass at his rallies and dump trucks as barricades outside Trump Tower in New York.
Rapid Response By Law Enforcers
The Secret Service and the police went off to neutralize the threat. In just a few minutes following a BOLO with a description of the suspect and his vehicle, the Martin County deputies picked up and apprehended the SUV, near Palm City, north of the golf course at about 45 miles distance from it. The north lanes of I-95 were closed off while all roads leading to the suspect were pursued.
Political Reactions And Ongoing Investigations
The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, saying they were thankful to hear that Trump was safe. Harris noted that “violence has no place in America.” Of course, Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that Trump was in high spirits and praised his resiliency.
The FBI continues to probe into the motives of the attack and has also informed U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about the facts of the case. Updates are provided regularly to the Justice Department about the unfolding of the investigation.
Trump Continues Campaign Despite This Threat
Despite more current threats against him, Trump is not yet out of the presidential run. He announced his speech on cryptocurrency during an X (formerly Twitter) live event from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday night. His campaign schedule is still full of packed events at Flint, Michigan, New York, Washington D.C., and Wilmington, North Carolina.