The incident occurred at a security checkpoint at Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive in Coachella at 4:59 p.m. on Saturday, mere minutes before the rally was scheduled to commence at 5 p.m.

The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller from Las Vegas, was found in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine. Miller was taken into custody and subsequently booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center on charges of possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. He was released from the detention center the following day after posting $5,000 bail, according to the Riverside County Inmate Information System.

The authorities assured that the incident did not endanger the safety of rally attendees or former President Trump. Specific details regarding the location of the firearms within Miller's black SUV were not disclosed by officials.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, known for his support of Trump, suggested that the incident could be considered a third assassination attempt on the former President. Sheriff Bianco explained that Miller attracted law enforcement attention by presenting fake VIP and press passes, which led to the search and subsequent discovery of the firearms.

As of Sunday afternoon, Donald Trump had not issued any public statement regarding the arrest. This incident follows several high-profile episodes of violence targeted at the former President amid a heated election season. Among these, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh faces gun charges for allegedly positioning himself near a Florida golf course to target Trump on September 15.