PALM BEACH, Florida – The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, confirmed on Sunday, September 15, 2024, that it is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The incident took place at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump was reportedly playing golf at the time.
According to Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, the former president is “safe following gunshots in his vicinity.”
Cheung provided no further details but assured the public that Trump was unharmed.
According to a law enforcement source, a person has been detained in connection with the incident.
The suspect was reportedly engaged by the Secret Service, who fired at the individual.
A long gun was recovered at the scene, and officials believe the armed person intended to target Trump.
The shooting occurred as Trump was moving between holes five and six on the golf course, according to sources briefed on the situation.
Trump was golfing with donor Steve Witkoff at the time.
The suspect was reportedly several holes ahead of Trump, allowing the Secret Service to respond before the former president was directly threatened.
Shortly after the incident, Trump sent his supporters a fundraising email, assuring them he was safe.
“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!” Trump wrote.
Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the incident, and the White House expressed relief that Trump was unharmed.
“Violence has no place in America,” Harris wrote on the social media platform 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.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Attorney General Merrick Garland was also briefed on the situation.
The US Secret Service confirmed in a statement on X that it is working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident, which occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m. The former president is safe. @pbso will have more details soon. pic.twitter.com/yWNvvKD3IC
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) September 15, 2024
Further details regarding the suspect or their motive have not yet been released.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, reported that he spoke to the former president after the incident.
“He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country,” Graham wrote on X.
Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.
He’s in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country. https://t.co/9CWaeFrOpX
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 15, 2024
This latest security threat comes just two months after an earlier assassination attempt against Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the safety measures in place to protect the former president.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to provide more details in the coming days.
