Donald Trump victim to SECOND assassination attempt, FBI fears - as gunman 'armed with AK-47' shot by US Secret Service
Police were seen outside Mar-a-Lago after the incident
REUTERS
The FBI are "investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump", the bureau has said.
In a statement released after were heard outside his Florida base, the FBI said it "responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump".
In an urgent statement issued earlier on Sunday, Trump's campaign communications chief Steven Cheung said: "President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time."
Trump had been campaigning in Las Vegas on Friday night, before flying to Palm Beach in Florida - the location of his Mar-a-Lago Club and golf resort - on Sunday.
Two people exchanged gunfire outside the golf course, according to US media, which reported that the shooters were "targeting each other", and the gunfire was not targeting Trump.
It later emerged that Secret Service agents opened fire at a suspected person with a weapon while Trump was golfing, law enforcement sources said.
The suspect then fled in an SUV and was apprehended in another county, while CNN quoted Martin County Sheriff William Snyder as saying his agency apprehended the suspect sought by Palm Beach County.
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Trump had been campaigning in Las Vegas on Friday night, before flying to Palm Beach in Florida
REUTERSMinutes after the initial news broke, sources said the Secret Service were responding to the gunfire.
The Secret Service's communications chief Anthony Guglielmi later confirmed: "The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2pm. The former President is safe."
While Trump's son, Donald Jr, claimed an "AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement".
Further reports in US media after the incident said the Secret Service spotted a "suspicious individual" on the golf course and opened fire when "agents saw what appeared to be the barrel of a gun".
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Trump had been campaigning in Las Vegas on Friday night
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Two people exchanged gunfire outside the Mar-a-Lago golf course, according to the New York Post
GETTY
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he had spoken to the former President after the gunshots, adding that Trump was in "good spirits".
He wrote on social media: "Just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I've ever known. He's in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country."
And the White House issued a statement soon after the incident, saying: "The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing.
"They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team."
"Violence has no place in America," Kamala Harris said later on social media.
Trump had been grazed in the right ear by the assassination attempt
GETTY
A statement from Trump himself emerged just under two hours after initial reports of the shooting emerged.
He wrote: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling 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."
The "attempted assassination" investigation comes almost exactly two months after Trump was injured in a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally.
Trump had been grazed in the right ear, and one rallygoer was killed in the gunfire. The gunman, identified as Thomas Crooks, 20, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.