Law enforcement found an AK-47 style rifle, GoPro and backpacks where suspect was positioned, sheriff says
From CNN’s Maureen Chowdhury
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw holds a photograph showing a rifle and other items found near where the suspect was discovered Sunday during a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Law enforcement officials found a weapon and other items left behind by the suspect where he was positioned in the bushes near the Trump International Golf Club in South Florida on Sunday.
“In the bushes, where this guy was, is an AK-47 style rifle with a scope; two backpacks, which were hung on the fence and had ceramic tile in them; and a GoPro. … So, those are being processed right now,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
UPDATE: Incident at Trump golf club.
“Call came out, shots fired. That was called in by the Secret Service because we’re in constant contact with them all the time.” — Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office
“Fortunately, we were able to locate a witness that came to us and said, ‘Hey, I… pic.twitter.com/jBNo24i8xb
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) September 15, 2024
Former President Trump was "probably between" 300-500 yards away from where an armed suspect was spotted by a member of Trump's Secret Service team, two holes ahead from where the president was golfing, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says, pic.twitter.com/pqrqT8nGLF
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 15, 2024
“Call came out, shots fired. That was called in by the Secret Service because we’re in constant contact with them all the time.” — Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office
“Fortunately, we were able to locate a witness that came to us and said, ‘Hey, I saw the guy running out of the bushes. He jumped into a black Nissan.'”
“Our real-time crime center put it out to the license plate readers, and we were able to get a hit on that vehicle on I-95 as it was headed into Martin County.” — Sheriff’s Office on the suspect’s arrest
“The Secret Service agent did a fantastic job. He was able to spot this rifle barrel sticking out of the fence and immediately engage the individual.” — Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office on Secret Service response
“Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a protective incident shortly before 02:00 p.m. on Sunday at Trump International Golf Club.” — U.S. Secret Service
“What we need right now is for the public to avoid the area around the golf course.”
Suspect has not made any statements, sheriff says
From CNN’s Maureen Chowdhury
The suspect has not made any statements regarding his involvement in the alleged assassination attempt, said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
Authorities have not named the suspect.
“No statement right now as far as his involvement in the incident and there’s further investigation to be completed,” Bradshaw said.
Suspect in custody was “relatively calm” when detained, sheriff says
From CNN’s Cindy Von Quednow
A man taken into custody after gunshots were fired near former President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, was “relatively calm” when detained, Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder said Sunday.
“He was not displaying a lot of emotions. Never asked, ‘What is this about?’” the sheriff said.
Snyder said the unnamed suspect was not armed when law enforcement officials took him out of the car. Snyder said the sheriff’s office would take the vehicle to FBI custody, which will take over the investigation, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the US Secret Service.
Snyder said his agency “flooded” Interstate 95 and closed a large swatch of the highway before eventually safely stopping the suspect vehicle.
“I have a clear understanding from investigators that we actually do have the suspect that they’re looking for in Palm Beach County,” Snyder said.
Secret Service agent was able to spot rifle barrel sticking out of fence and engaged suspect, sheriff says
From CNN’s Maureen Chowdhury
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that a Secret Service agent was able to spot a rifle barrel with a scope sticking out of a fence at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and “engaged” with the suspect.
The shooter was 300 to 500 yards away from former President Donald Trump, an official said.
Witness saw suspect run from bushes and get in car
From CNN’s Jack Forrest
A witness saw the suspect later detained in the security incident near former President Donald Trump run from the bushes and took a picture of his vehicle that led to the suspect’s apprehension, according to the Palm Beech County sheriff.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Sunday that his office was alerted at 1:30 p.m. ET of shots fired by the US Secret Service.
“We are able to catch a witness that came to us and said, ‘Hey, I saw the guy running out of the bushes, he jumped into a black Nissan and I took a picture of the vehicle and the tag,’ which was great,” Bradshaw said.
Authorities were able to get a hit on the vehicle and alerted the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, which detained the suspect. The witness was able to then identify the man.
