Former United States President Donald Trump said he is “safe and well” after what authorities said appeared to be a second assassination attempt on the Republican candidate.
The FBI said it is investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of Trump on Sunday after the Secret Service said it opened fire on a gunman at the former president’s golf resort in Florida.
“FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!” Trump said in a statement on his fundraising website.
“But, there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us. I will not stop fighting for you. I will Never Surrender.”
“I will always love you for supporting me,” the statement added. “Through our UNITY we will Make America Great Again.”
Trump had been golfing at his West Palm Beach course, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, during a day away from the presidential campaign.
At a joint news conference involving the FBI, Secret Service and local officials, authorities said that a Secret Service agent, who was one hole ahead of Trump on the golf course, spotted a person with a firearm located near the boundary of the resort and fired in his direction.
It was unclear if the suspect fired back at the agent, officials added.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the suspect was 400 to 500 yards (365 to 457 metres) from Trump and it appeared he sought to film himself.
The suspect fled the wooded area in a black vehicle, but was quickly located and detained by law enforcement agencies, according to officials.
A backpack, GoPro camera, firearm scope and “AK-47-style rifle” were recovered from the scene, officials said.
“I would imagine the next time he comes on a golf course, there will probably be… more people around the perimeter,” Bradshaw told reporters.
