Donald Trump’s campaign reported on Sunday that there had been “gunshots in his vicinity,” though the former president is confirmed to be safe.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” said Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesperson.
According to multiple media reports, Trump had been golfing at his West Palm Beach course in Florida, near his Mar-a-Lago residence, during a break from the campaign trail. The shooting reportedly took place on the golf course, and a “person of interest” was detained along with a weapon, according to the *New York Times*, which cited local law enforcement.
At the time of the incident, Trump was accompanied by his Secret Service detail, as is routine. Reports indicated that an AK-47-style rifle was recovered at the scene.
It remains unclear who the shooter was or what the motive might have been, with no immediate indication that Trump was specifically targeted.
This incident comes amid heightened security concerns for political candidates, just two months after Trump was wounded in the ear during a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally.
The White House swiftly issued a statement saying that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed on the incident and were relieved to hear that Trump was safe.
Following an earlier security breach at the Pennsylvania rally, the U.S. Secret Service faced criticism. Kimberly Cheatle, the head of the agency, resigned, and five agents were placed on administrative leave amid the scrutiny. In her resignation letter, Cheatle acknowledged that the agency had “fallen short” of its mission to protect national leaders.