Suspect in Custody After Shots Fired Near Donald Trump: What We Know

Former President Donald Trump is “safe” and a suspect is in custody after shots were fired near him on Sunday.
Shots were fired at Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday where Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, was golfing, according to multiple reports.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon.
In an emailed statement to Newsweek on Sunday evening, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wrote: “The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
Trump wrote in a statement released by his campaign on Sunday, “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.”
The former president had returned to Florida this weekend after hosting a string of campaign events on the West Coast.
Newsweek reached out the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) via email and local police via telephone for additional information on Sunday afternoon.
West Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a news conference on Sunday that a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle sticking out of the fence of the golf course and “engaged” with the suspect. The gunman may have got to within 300 yards of Trump, law enforcement said at the conference.
According to law enforcement officials who spoke with the Associated Press, the suspect then dropped the weapon and fled the scene in an SUV but was later apprehended in a nearby county, the officials said.
In a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said that they had “stopped a vehicle and taken a suspect into custody believed to be connected to a shooting incident at Trump International in Palm Beach County.”
The golf course was partially shut down for Trump to play and agents were a few holes ahead of the former president when they noticed the person with an AK-style rifle, according to law enforcement officials who spoke with the AP.
Secret Service usually secures the area several holes ahead and behind Trump when he golfs, and an armored vehicle is also typically brought onto the course in case the former president needs to be quickly sheltered, according to the AP.
No injuries have been reported, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson who spoke with the AP.
Rafael Barros, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office, told Newsweek in an emailed statement on Sunday evening, “I first want to thank all of our law enforcement partners, to include the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, for their involvement today.”
The statement continued: “Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a protective incident shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday at Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach. Secret Service personnel opened fire on a gunman located near the property line and this matter is under investigation.”
Barros said the FBI is leading the investigation.
Meanwhile, the White House said in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, “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. They will be kept regularly updated by their team.”
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., reacted to the shooting on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday afternoon, writing, “Again folks!”
On July 13, Trump was struck by a bullet that pierced his right ear at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in an assassination attempt. The 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired rounds off a nearby roof was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned 10 days after the shooting following a brutal congressional hearing into the assassination attempt. The USSS is currently being run by Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe, Jr.
Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close friend of Trump’s, said on television on Sunday that the former president and another friend of theirs, real estate investor Steve Witkoff, who was playing with Trump on the golf course, described the gunshots to him—”they heard pop, pop. Pop, pop.”
Hannity said he confirmed with Trump and Witkoff “that the gun has been found. They identified it as an AK-47. And thanks to Secret Service drone video coverage, they were able to identify one individual involved in this shooting getting into a car after dropping the AK-47.”
Palm Beach resident Max Egusquiza told the AP of the emergency response outside Trump’s golf club, “From what I saw 5 black unmarked SUVs blocked in a grey Mercedes in front of the golf course. There were about 20 or more cop cars flying from nearby streets.”
It’s unclear if the Mercedes is the same car Hannity described.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, wrote on X on Sunday afternoon, “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.”
Update 9/15/24, 3:13 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/15/24, 3:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/15/24, 4:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information. The headline was also updated.
Update 9/15/24, 4:54 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/15/24, 6:02 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and comment from the USSS.