Secret Service Opens Fire at Suspected Individual with Firearm near Donald Trump's Golf Club

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
15/09/2024 20h46

In a concerning incident, Secret Service agents opened fire at a man who pushed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle through the perimeter of Donald Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course on Sunday. The Republican presidential candidate was playing a round at the time, but thankfully he is safe and unharmed, according to three law enforcement officials.

The individual quickly dropped the weapon and fled the scene in an SUV. However, authorities were able to apprehend the suspect in a neighboring county shortly after. An AK-style firearm was recovered near Trump's golf course. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

This incident comes just two months after Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, where he was shot and grazed by a bullet. The campaign year has been filled with unprecedented upheaval, with President Joe Biden ultimately withdrawing from the race only a week later.

During Trump's golf game, the course was partially shut down and Secret Service agents were stationed a few holes ahead of him. The agents noticed the individual with the firearm, prompting them to take immediate action. It is common for agents to secure the area ahead and behind Trump, even bringing an armored vehicle onto the course for his protection.

Following a West Coast swing, Trump had returned to Florida from Las Vegas and had been playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach. Since the assassination attempt, he has experienced heightened security measures, including the presence of dump trucks outside Trump Tower in New York and speaking from behind bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed about the incident and will be kept updated on the ongoing investigation. They expressed relief that Trump is safe. Harris issued a statement, emphasizing that violence has no place in America.

Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's staunch allies, spoke to Trump after the incident and reported that the former president was in good spirits and remained resilient. The Martin County Sheriff's Office played a crucial role in apprehending the suspect, who was stopped on northbound Interstate 95, approximately 45 miles north of Trump's golf course.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has been briefed on the situation and is receiving regular updates from the Justice Department. The suspect's apprehension led to the closure of the northbound lanes of I-95. Campaign officials have not yet released information regarding the security status and location of Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

Eyewitnesses described the emergency response outside Trump's golf course, with multiple law enforcement vehicles and a significant number of police cars rushing to the scene. However, details about the identity and motives of the suspect remain undisclosed at this time.

Despite this incident, Trump is scheduled to continue his engagements, including speaking about cryptocurrency on the social media site X, launching his sons' crypto platform from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is also set to return to the campaign trail with a town hall in Flint, Michigan, followed by a rally in New York on Long Island. Additionally, he plans to address the Israeli-American Council National Summit in Washington, D.C., and hold a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The investigation into this incident continues, and authorities are working to determine the full circumstances and motivations behind the suspect's actions.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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