Trump Is Safe After Apparent Assassination Attempt: FBI

Candidate was playing golf in Florida when a gunman was spotted and agents opened fire

Wires
September 15, 2024

Campaign Says Trump Is Safe After Gunfire Nearby
Donald Trump arrives Saturday at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip on Saturday in Las Vegas. Alex Brandon photo

Donald Trump was unharmed Sunday when a man pushed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle through the perimeter of a Florida golf course while the former president played and Secret Service agents opened fire in response. The FBI said Trump was the subject of "what appears to be an attempted assassination." The gunman dropped the rifle and fled Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach in a vehicle, the AP reports, and law enforcement officials in the next county later said they had a person in custody.

The Republican presidential nominee quickly sent out a fundraising email assuring supporters he was safe. "Before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I am safe and well," Trump wrote, adding, "I will never surrender!" The Martin County Sheriff's Office said it believes the person taken into custody, whose identity was not released, is connected to the shooting. He was unarmed when he was stopped on Interstate 95, officials said. The golf course was partially shut down while he played, with Secret Service agents a few holes ahead of him when they spotted the person with weapon, officials said. There are several spots along the perimeter of the property where golfers are visible from the fence line.

Trump was returned safely to Mar-a-Lago, which is several miles from the golf course, on Sunday afternoon. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham posted on X that Trump was in "good spirits." It was about two months ago that Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania, which has brought fierce criticism of the Secret Service. (More Donald Trump stories.)