THE suspect was “armed with an AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera” while allegedly taking aim at Donald Trump while he played golf.
A man with the rifle pushed the firearm’s muzzle through the perimeter of the West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course Sunday, prompting U.S. Secret Service to open fire.
The FBI say it is investigating it as an ‘apparent assassination attempt’ on Donald Trump[/caption]
Law enforcement officials revealed the backpacks found[/caption]
The suspect dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV, law enforcement officials say[/caption]
The man was around 400-500 yards from the former president.
The suspect dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV, law enforcement officials told reporters.
Officials in Palm Beach Florida say they were able to track down the suspect after a witness saw him “running out of bushes”.
The witness took a picture of the vehicle after seeing the suspect jump into a black Nissan.
Police alerted the neighbouring Martin County Sheriff’s Office which pulled over the vehicle and detained the suspect.
The person was then taken into custody in a neighbouring county, they confirmed.
An AK-style firearm was recovered at the scene.
Trump has returned to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The FBI has said it is investigating it as an “apparent assassination attempt”.
In a statement a short time ago, the former president said he was “safe and well” and “will never surrender”.
Details and background on the suspect shooter are yet to be released by West Palm Beach cops.
The FBI, who is now in charge of the investigation, said that multiple teams, including bomb technicians, are involved in the probe.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung earlier said in a statement: “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”
The statement did not give any additional details.
