Trump "safe," person detained after report of gunshots in his vicinity in Florida, sources say; Secret Service investigating
Former President Donald Trump is safe after gunshots were fired in his vicinity on Sunday, his campaign said in statement. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating the incident, which the FBI said "appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump."
"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity," Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director, said in a brief initial statement.
Two people familiar with the matter told CBS News that a male with a high-powered rifle was seen near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, around 2 p.m. The man was pointing the rifle at the golf course, where the former president was at the time.
The armed suspect was spotted by a member of Trump's Secret Service team two holes ahead from where the president was golfing, on the edge of the course, multiple law enforcement officials told CBS News. The suspect fled the scene, jumping into a car after he was engaged by Secret Service agents with multiple gunshots.
A car with the same license plate number was stopped in Martin County, north of the golf course, and one individual was taken into custody, the officials said. An AK-47 style weapon and scope were recovered at the scene by the golf course. No motive has been determined at this time.
The FBI is heading the investigation at this time, saying in a statement: "The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump."
The Secret Service also said it was investigating the incident along with local authorities.
"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," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is expected to give a briefing with more details shortly.
In a fundraising email, the former president said he is safe.
"There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL," Trump said.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the incident on Sunday afternoon, the White House said.
"The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe," the White House statement said. "They will be kept regularly updated by their team."
In a separate post on X, Harris said, "I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close ally of the former president, said in a post on X that he had spoken with Trump, who he said "in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country."
"He is one of the strongest people I've ever known," Graham added.
The incident comes two months after an assassination attempt against the former president during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was grazed in the ear; one attendee at the July 13 rally was killed and two others were wounded.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
