(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden said in a statement late Sunday that he is “relieved” that former President Donald Trump was unharmed in what the FBI is investigating as a second assassination attempt on his life in two months.
A man is in custody after authorities said he was wielding an AK-47 style rifle near a Trump-owned golf course in West Palm Beech, Fla. Authorities said a Secret Service agent spotted the gunman pointing the barrel of the rifle through a chain link fence in brush just across from the course while Trump was playing.
The agent fired shots at the gunman. who fled the scene. A witness provided information about the car the gunman fled in that led to the his arrest.
Biden’s full statement:
“I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe. I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”
Sunday’s incident occurred two months after Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. Trump was grazed by a bullet in his ear in the Pennsylvania shooting just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention. The suspect in the earlier assassination attempt was shot and killed at the scene.
