From a press conference held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office provided details of a second assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump. The attempt occurred in the early afternoon, prompting swift action from local law enforcement and federal authorities.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw opened the briefing by explaining the timeline of events. At approximately 1:30 p.m., a report of shots fired came in from the Secret Service, who maintain constant contact with local law enforcement during Trump’s public appearances. The incident occurred near a golf course where Trump was present. Law enforcement quickly sealed off the area and began their investigation.
Fortunately, a witness came forward with crucial information, reporting that they had seen a man fleeing from the bushes near the course and jumping into a black Nissan. The witness had taken a picture of the vehicle and its license plate, which proved instrumental in the investigation. Utilizing real-time surveillance technology, law enforcement tracked the suspect’s vehicle as it traveled on I-95, eventually locating it in Martin County.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office intercepted the vehicle and apprehended the suspect. The witness who had seen the suspect flee was brought to the scene and positively identified the individual as the man seen near the golf course.
During a search of the bushes where the suspect had been hiding, law enforcement recovered an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles used for body armor. Disturbingly, a GoPro camera was also found, indicating that the suspect may have been attempting to record the incident.
Sheriff Bradshaw praised the swift actions of the Secret Service and local law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance. “Thanks to the quick response of our officers and the cooperation of the witness, we were able to prevent a potential tragedy,” Bradshaw stated. “We will continue to work alongside the FBI, Secret Service, and state and local law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.”
State Attorney Dave Ahrenberg also addressed the media, announcing that his office had filed charges at the state level and would be seeking pre-trial detention to keep the suspect in custody. While state charges have been filed, Ahrenberg noted that federal charges could be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
The sheriff’s office released images of the recovered rifle, backpacks, and GoPro camera to the press. Despite the severity of the incident, authorities reassured the public that the area around the golf course was secure. Sheriff Bradshaw advised residents to avoid the immediate area but emphasized that there was no need for panic. “We have schools, a post office, and a library nearby, but we’ll make sure the public can go about their daily activities safely,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials urged anyone with additional information to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in recent months, raising concerns about the safety of public figures and the heightened political tensions in the country. Authorities are continuing to process the scene and gather more evidence to build their case against the suspect.
Trump released a post on his social media that signified his feelings about the second attempt on his life in 65 days: