A man with an AK-style rifle pushed the firearm’s muzzle through the perimeter of Donald Trump‘s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course Sunday as the Republican presidential candidate was playing a round, prompting U.S. Secret Service to open fire, according to three law enforcement officials.
The former president, who is safe and unharmed, broke his silence in a fundraising email.
The person dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV, and was later apprehended in a neighboring county, the officials said.
An AK-style firearm was recovered at the scene near Trump’s golf course, two of the officials said. And no injuries were reported.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told reporters: “The suspect’s demeanour I would describe as having a relatively calm, flat… Not displaying a lot of emotion. He never asked ‘what is this about?’ There were law enforcement, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it.”
His son Rep. John Snyder later identified the suspect as a male in his mid-60s on X.
Trump spoke out about the incident in a statement. He said: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!
“I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you.”