On September 15, 2024, a shocking event unfolded at Donald Trump’s Florida golf club, where authorities are now investigating what they describe as an “attempted assassination” of the former U.S. president. Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach property, Trump International Golf Club, when a gunman was spotted near the property line by Secret Service agents. Fortunately, Trump remained unharmed, and the suspect is now in custody.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, the Secret Service opened fire on the suspect, who was found aiming a rifle through the fence surrounding the golf course. The suspect, who fled in a black SUV, was later apprehended by local law enforcement on Interstate 95. The suspect’s vehicle was traced thanks to a witness who took photos of the license plate as the suspect fled the scene
A significant discovery at the scene included an “AK-47 style rifle” with a telescopic sight and a GoPro camera, indicating the suspect may have intended to record the attack. Two backpacks containing ceramic tiles were also found hanging from a chain-link fence, raising concerns about the level of planning involved in the attempt(
Trump’s Safety
At the time of the incident, Trump was approximately 300 to 500 yards away from where the suspect was located. Although initial reports were unclear about whether the suspect had managed to fire any shots, Secret Service acted swiftly, ensuring Trump’s safety. Trump was quickly moved inside the clubhouse as law enforcement secured the area(
In a statement, Trump’s campaign confirmed that the former president was safe. His campaign headquarters, also located in West Palm Beach, was put on lockdown following the incident as a precaution
FBI and Local Authorities’ Response
The FBI has confirmed that it is investigating the incident as an “attempted assassination” of the former president. This event comes just two months after another assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, where he narrowly escaped harm. Given the frequency of these incidents, concerns over Trump’s safety, particularly while on the golf course, have increased(
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Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County held a press conference where he praised both the Secret Service and local witnesses for their quick actions in identifying and capturing the suspect. The sheriff also noted that, had Trump still been the sitting president, security around the course would have been tighter, potentially preventing the suspect from getting as close as he did
Political Reaction
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the incident. In a statement, Biden expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and reiterated that political violence has no place in the United States. Harris also voiced her relief on social media, echoing Biden’s sentiment about the need to prevent political violence(
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, with federal authorities working alongside local law enforcement to gather more information about the suspect’s motive and whether any accomplices were involved. Security around Trump’s public appearances and properties is likely to be increased following this second attempted attack(
The incident underscores the continued polarization in U.S. politics, with political figures like Trump becoming frequent targets of threats and violence.
