By Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Patricia Mazzei
On Sunday, the FBI announced it was looking into what seemed to be an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump while he was golfing at one of his Florida clubs.
Authorities indicated that Trump was unharmed. Just under two months ago, he suffered injuries during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The FBI has arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is examining what appears to be an assassination attempt on former President Trump,” the agency stated.
Gunshots were reported Sunday at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. “President Trump is unharmed following the gunfire in his vicinity,” Steven Cheung, communication director for the Trump campaign, remarked in a statement.
The Secret Service returned fire at an armed individual perceived as a threat to the former president, as indicated by a source familiar with the incident. It remains unclear whether the individual discharged their weapon.
Law enforcement retrieved a semiautomatic rifle, either an AR-15 or AK-47 style, following the event and is currently tracing its origin to find out who purchased it and where it was acquired, according to two sources knowledgeable about the situation.
Teri Barbera, spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed a shooting occurred “on the grounds” of the golf course while Trump was there. She added that a “person of interest” was apprehended.
A press conference was anticipated later in the afternoon.
The Secret Service stated it was probing “a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump” that took place shortly before 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Sheriff William Snyder from Martin County, Florida, revealed that his deputies had taken into custody the driver of a vehicle sought by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in relation to the shooting. The individual was detained while heading northbound on Interstate 95, transitioning from Palm Beach County to Martin County. The highway was closed at Mile Marker 110 with federal investigators present, according to the sheriff.
While on the course, Trump was playing golf with his friend Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate mogul, as the shots rang out, according to three individuals briefed on the event.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed on social media that she had been informed about the situation. “I am thankful he is safe,” she posted. “Violence is unacceptable in America.”
In a statement, a White House representative mentioned that President Joe Biden had also been updated, alongside Harris. “They are relieved to learn that he is safe,” the representative stated.
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., shared on social media that he had conversed with Trump, who was “in good spirits.”
