A would-be assassin targeted President Donald J. Trump at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon around 1:30PM, as President Trump was golfing. The Trump campaign confirmed the incident, reporting shortly after that “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity.”
The Palm Beach Sheriff, alongside the FBI and U.S. Secret Service, explained that a Secret Service agent advancing the golf course “one or two” holes ahead of Trump and his golf partner Steve Witkoff encountered a man with a rifle, the barrel of which was poking out from the bushes on the course. At that point, the Secret Service engaged the individual, who was not hit and who fled, eventually making it to his vehicle.
At the same time, Secret Service agents accompanying the President “pounced” on him and covered him as they played the 5th hole.
A nearby witness captured an image of the man’s car – a black Nissan – which was relayed to local police, who picked up the suspect further down the road in Martin County, Florida. The man is believed to be a white male in his late 50s or early 60s.
The gunman had a backpack that contained a rifle and a GoPro video camera alongside his AK-47 with a scope. The Palm Beach county sheriff made clear that given the weapon and the scope, Trump’s proximity to the suspect – around 300 yards away – is not considered to be a particularly long distance.
President Trump issued a statement around 4PM EST, which read: “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! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
The FBI is now in charge of the investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service reiterated that the threat level against Trump is very high.
In July, The The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief warned of a second attempt on the life of President Trump:
My warning about another shooting from July on the @charliekirk11 show. https://t.co/WRiMofXqsg pic.twitter.com/JenWaWkzhI
— Raheem. (@RaheemKassam) September 15, 2024