Trump safe after what FBI describes as apparent assassination attempt

The FBI on Sunday said it is investigating a second assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Trump’s campaign said the GOP nominee for president is safe, and the FBI said it is responding to the situation. 

Authorities at a Sunday press conference said a Secret Service agent opened fire on a man with a gun near Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The agent did so after spotting a man with a rifle who pushed the firearm’s muzzle through the perimeter of the course, authorities said.

“He was able to spot this rifle barrel sticking out of the fence and immediately engage that individual at which time the individual took off,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during the press conference.

Bradshaw said local law enforcement has a man in custody after a person was apprehended while traveling from Palm Beach County into Martin County on I-95 after a witness captured a photograph of the individual’s vehicle.

According to Bradshaw, an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks and a GoPro were found in bushes where the suspect had been spotted.

Shots were fired by a Secret Service agent after the agent spotted the weapon, Bradshaw said.

“The Secret Service agent that was on the course did a fantastic job,” Bradshaw said. He said the Secret Service has a process of having an agent jump one hole ahead when the former president is playing golf to offer him protection.  

FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Veltri, who is in charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, said the FBI is taking the lead on the investigation. The agency has deployed investigative, evidence and crisis response team members and bomb technicians to aid in the investigation, he said.  

“What we need right now is for the public to avoid the area around the golf course,” Veltri said.

State prosecutors were working to secure a warrant and a motion for a pretrial detention for the potential suspect in custody, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said during the briefing.  

Aronberg noted the filing of state warrants and charges “does not preclude federal charges that could be coming.” 

GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) said on the social platform X he spoke with Trump shortly after the incident.  

“I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance wrote. “Still much we don’t know, but I’ll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.” 

Both President Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed Sunday about the attempt on Trump’s life, according to a White House pool report. 

“They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the pool report stated. 

Harris, in a post on X, said she is “glad” Trump is safe, writing, “Violence has no place in America.” 

The incident comes nearly two months after Trump was shot in an attempted assassination on his life at a campaign rally in July. 

Trump was speaking in Butler, Pa., on July 13 when the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired bullets from a nearby roof, striking the former president’s ear and killing one spectator. Two other attendees who were injured have since been released from the hospital. 

Crooks, 20, was fatally shot by the Secret Service moments after the shooting. 

The attempted assassination raised concerns about the Secret Service’s lack of preparedness to protect the former president.  

Sunday’s briefing from Secret Service and local law enforcement took place around 5 p.m. Sunday, about three hours after shots were reported. The timing is notable given the agency did not hold a media briefing immediately following the July shooting.  

The fallout from the Secret Service’s preparation and response to the shooting prompted Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in July following a disastrous appearance before Congress to review the incident. 

The Justice Department, through the FBI, is investigating the July shooting. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said he spoke with Trump following the reported gunshots.  

“He [Trump] is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known,” Graham wrote on X. “He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.” 

Julia Manchester contributed.

Story was updated 6:21 p.m. ET