Former President Donald Trump is “safe” after shots were fired at Trump National Golf Club on Sunday, Steven Cheung, his campaign communications director, told Newsweek on Sunday afternoon.
Multiple shots were fired at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, was golfing today, according to Politico correspondent Meridith McGraw.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Cheung said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday.
Trump had returned to Florida this weekend after hosting a string of campaign events on the West Coast.
Newsweek reached out to Cheung and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) via email and local police via telephone for additional information on Sunday afternoon.
The Secret Service announced on Sunday that it was investigating “a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m.” with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, adding that Trump is “safe.”
No injuries have been reported, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson who spoke with the Associated Press.
CNN reported that the Secret Service returned fire and that a backpack, an AK-47 assault rifle and a Go-Pro camera were recovered.
The White House said in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, “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.”
Two people reportedly exchanged gunfire outside of Trump’s golf course and the shots were targeted at each other, not Trump, the New York Post reported, citing law enforcement sources.
However, there are conflicting reports as CNN said officials believe the shots were fired at the golf club and were intended for Trump, citing sources familiar with the matter.
On July 13, Trump was struck by a bullet that pierced his right ear at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in an assassination attempt. The 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired rounds off a nearby roof was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned 10 days after the shooting following a brutal congressional hearing into the assassination attempt. The USSS is currently being run by Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe, Jr.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Update 9/15/24, 3:13 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/15/24, 3:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Former President Donald Trump looks on at the first tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Miami at Trump National Doral Miami on April 07, 2024 in Doral, Florida. Trump is “safe” after shots were fired at Trump National Golf Club on Sunday.
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
