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Former US President Donald Trump thanked his supporters on his social media platform for their concern over a new assassination attempt.
Trump’s campaign said shots were fired “in the immediate area” of Trump while he was playing golf in Florida on Sunday.
The FBI said the incident was being investigated as “an apparent assassination attempt.”
Trump, via his own platform, Truth Social, thanked his supporters for their concerns and good wishes.
“It’s certainly been an interesting day!” Trump said late Sunday.
Trump also thanked the US Secret Service and law enforcement for their “incredible job” in keeping him safe.
“The job was done very well,” Trump added. “I’m very proud to be an American.”
A Secret Service spokesman confirmed that Trump is safe after the shooting at the Trump International Golf Course.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said at a news conference that the Secret Service spotted a gun barrel sticking out from between a fence.
The suspect was about 270 to 450 meters away from Trump, who was playing golf at the time, Bradshaw said.
Secret Service spokesman Rafael Barros said agents shot the suspect.
He added that it was not clear whether the man also opened fire. No injuries were reported.
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended by local police, who found an AK-47 assault rifle with a telescopic sight and a camera in the bushes at the scene, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw.
In a fundraising message sent shortly after the incident, Trump said gunfire had been heard in the area around him.
“But before the rumors start spreading, I wanted you to hear this first: I am safe and well!” Trump wrote.
“Nothing will stop me. I will never give up! I will always love you for supporting me,” he continued.
“There are no additional details at this time,” Trump spokesman Stephen Cheung said in a brief statement from the campaign, as did Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi in a post on X.
In Washington, the White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed on the shooting.
Biden praised the efforts of the Secret Service and security teams for their “vigilance and efforts” to keep Trump and those around him safe.
“I am glad the former president was unharmed,” Biden said in a statement.
“I have always said that there is no place for political violence or any violence in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and security measures necessary to ensure the safety of the former president,” he continued.
Harris said she was “deeply disturbed” by the possible assassination attempt.
“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We must all do our part to ensure this incident does not lead to further violence,” Harris said in a statement.
“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe,” Harris added. “I commend the work of the U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners for their vigilance.”
J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, said he spoke to him before the news was announced.
“He was in amazingly good spirits,” he wrote on X. “There’s still so much we don’t know.”
It is noteworthy that on July 13, a gunman shot Trump from a nearby rooftop during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
Trump was shot in the right ear, and the assailant was shot dead by security forces a short time later. One man died and two others were injured at the rally.
