A man has been arrested and an assault rifle recovered after "an apparent assassination attempt" on Donald Trump, according to the FBI.
Mr Trump was playing a round at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday when gunshots were heard.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that a Secret Service agent - who was patrolling the course ahead of Mr Trump - spotted a rifle barrel coming out of a perimeter fence.
"He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off," he said.
It is not yet known whether the suspect fired first, fired a round at all or if only the Secret Service fired.
The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump. pic.twitter.com/ORhVJi43Tm
— FBI (@FBI) September 15, 2024
Ryan Wesley Routh (58) was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by local police, NBC News reported, citing three senior law enforcement officials.
Officers later searched the area where the man, believed to be Routh, was spotted and found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two rucksacks and a GoPro.
Dave Aronberg, Palm Beach state's attorney told MSNBC that Routh was "lying in wait" for Donald Trump.
He said Routh was aiming at Secret Service agents and one of them fired at him.
Sheriff vehicles pictured near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach after gunshots were reported in the vicinity of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, 15-9-24. Image: Associated Press / AlamyEarlier Martin County Sheriff William Snyder described how his officers followed the suspect's black Nissan SUV for a while before making a "felony stop".
"Our road units picked the vehicle up and we waited a while. We didn't stop him right away. We didn't want a high-speed chase," he said.
"So we were able to wait until we had adequate units, surrounded the vehicle, and forced it to a stop."
He added they managed to take the suspect into custody peacefully.
Afterwards, a statement from Donald Trump said: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours 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! I will always love you for supporting me.
"Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you."
Mr Trump has since returned to his Mar-a-Lago resort.
'No place for political violence'
US President Joe Biden said in a statement that he had been briefed on the "apparent assassination attempt" and was "relieved that the former president is unharmed".
"As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," he said, adding that he has directed his team "to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President's continued safety".
A White House statement said earlier: "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. They will be kept regularly updated by their team."
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
Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President and Democratic presidential nominee, also said she was "glad" her rival for the presidency was safe after gunshots were heard "in his vicinity".
Writing on X, she said: "Violence has no place in America."
It comes two months after the Republican presidential nominee sustained an ear injury during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania in July.
The gunman, who was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the Secret Service at the scene.
The July attempt on Donald Trump's life led to the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle, who admitted to Congress that her agency had its "most significant operational failure" in decades.
Reporting by: IRN
