Man in custody after ‘assassination attempt’ on Donald Trump

Multiple shots were heard at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach where the former President was golfing on Sunday afternoon. In a press conference, the Secret Service confirmed that Donald Trump is ‘safe and well’ and a man has been taken into custody. No motive has been uncovered yet.

The FBI have taken over investigating the incident which they say ‘appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.’

Donald Trump has since released his own statement:

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.

In a joint briefing, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Secret Service described the events that played out at 13:30 local time. An individual hiding in the tree line was discovered pointing a high powered rifle at the golf course, just 500 metres away from the former President. Police units immediately sealed off the area. Secret Service officers fired multiple shots at the suspect, who attempted to flee in a black Nissan car. The license plate was noted by law enforcement and he was then detained in Martin County, Florida.

An AK-47 rife with a scope, two backpacks and a Go-Pro camera were recovered at the scene. These items are now being processed.

The White House have confirmed that President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been informed, with the Vice President giving this statement on X: ‘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.‘

The shooting comes almost exactly two months after Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump through the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13th.

More to follow.