FBI investigates apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Summary

Authorities have taken a suspect into custody following an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course. Secret Service agents spotted a person with a rifle attempting to aim through the fence, prompting them to open fire. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended by local law enforcement. The FBI is treating the incident as an assassination attempt. This is the second such attempt on Trump in two months. Officials are reviewing the security measures in place to ensure his safety during public appearances.

Takeaways

• 🔫 Secret Service officials apprehended a suspect in connection to a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump within two months.
• 🏌️ The attempt occurred while Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach, Florida club.
• 👀 Secret Service agents noticed a person with a firearm a few holes ahead of Trump, leading them to open fire.
• 🔍 Authorities recovered an AK-47 style rifle with a scope, two backpacks with ceramic tiles, and a GoPro at the scene.
• 🚗 The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, but law enforcement tracked the vehicle using the license plate and arrested the suspect near Palm City, Florida.
• 🚔 The arrest was made after a 45-mile chase from Trump's golf course, with multiple law enforcement vehicles involved.
• 💼 The White House stated that both the President and Vice President were briefed on the situation and expressed relief that Trump was safe.
• 🕵️ The FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.
• 🛡️ Former security officials discussed the challenges of protecting Trump on large, open golf courses and highlighted the use of advanced technology like infrared goggles to detect threats.
• 📅 This is the second known attempt on Trump's life, with a previous incident occurring in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Q & A

What event is being discussed in the script?

The script discusses the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, which occurred at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

What was the suspect spotted doing that raised alarm?

The suspect was seen by Secret Service agents pushing the muzzle of a rifle through the fence near the golf course.

What type of weapon was found at the scene?

An AK-47 style rifle with a scope was found at the scene along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera.

How did the authorities locate the suspect after the incident?

Witnesses spotted the suspect's car and provided the plate number, which helped local authorities track the vehicle. The suspect was eventually apprehended near Palm City, Florida.

How far from the golf course was the suspect apprehended?

The suspect was apprehended about 45 miles north of the golf course, near Palm City, Florida.

Were there any injuries reported during the incident?

No injuries were reported during the incident.

How is the FBI classifying this event?

The FBI is investigating this incident as an assassination attempt.

What measures do Secret Service agents take to protect high-profile individuals like former presidents?

Secret Service agents use advanced technology such as infrared goggles and binoculars to detect potential threats. They also establish multiple security layers around high-profile individuals, both at the event location and in nearby areas.

Why is protecting a golf course challenging for the Secret Service?

Golf courses are wide and open spaces, making it difficult to secure all areas effectively. Secret Service agents must cover large, grassy areas with limited cover, increasing the complexity of their task.

What is the significance of the Palm Beach location mentioned in the script?

Palm Beach, where Trump’s golf course is located, is a different area from West Palm Beach, which is described as having higher crime rates. The location poses unique challenges for security due to its environment.

Outlines

00:00

🔫 Attempted Assassination on Former President Trump

Officials have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, marking the second such incident in two months. The suspect was spotted by Secret Service agents while Trump was playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. Agents saw the suspect pushing the muzzle of a rifle through the fence, prompting them to open fire. Recovered at the scene were an AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended after authorities tracked the vehicle using witness reports. The FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.

🚔 Suspect Apprehended by Law Enforcement

The suspect involved in the assassination attempt fled in a vehicle, but witnesses noted the car's plate number, which led authorities to track it. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office posted photos showing law enforcement vehicles surrounding an SUV. The suspect was arrested near Palm City, Florida, approximately 45 miles from Trump's golf course. Both the President and Vice President have been briefed on the situation, and a White House statement expressed relief that Trump was safe. No injuries were reported, and investigations are ongoing.

🛡️ Security Challenges for Secret Service

Security expert Ed Cash discusses the challenges of protecting former President Trump, particularly in areas like West Palm Beach, which has a higher crime rate. Trump frequently visits this golf course, making it more difficult for the Secret Service to secure. However, the Secret Service is well-prepared for such incidents, and it appears they executed their plan effectively during this attempt.

👁️ Secret Service Security Measures

Cash elaborates on the measures the Secret Service uses, including infrared goggles and binoculars to monitor grassy areas for potential threats. He emphasizes the layered security approach, with agents both on the golf course and positioned on the streets nearby. Cash notes that while this area isn’t rural, incidents like domestic disputes can spill over into public spaces, complicating the response.

🔍 Rifle Discovery and Security Perimeters

Authorities reported that Secret Service agents saw the muzzle of a rifle poking through the fence surrounding the golf course. They later found an AK-47-style rifle at the scene. Ed Cash discusses how securing perimeters, particularly when Trump is outdoors, is crucial. He references a previous assassination attempt in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and explains that while each incident requires a tailored response, the Secret Service seems to have executed their plan effectively in this instance.

Keywords

💡Assassination Attempt

An assassination attempt refers to an intentional effort to kill a prominent figure. In the context of the video, this is the second attempt on former President Donald Trump's life within two months, highlighting the serious nature of the threat and the urgency of the Secret Service's response.

💡Secret Service

The Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting current and former U.S. presidents, among other duties. In the video, Secret Service agents are credited with spotting the armed suspect and responding quickly to prevent harm to former President Trump while he was playing golf.

💡AK-47 Style Rifle

An AK-47 style rifle is a type of assault weapon known for its rapid fire capability. In this incident, the suspect was armed with an AK-47 style rifle, pushing its muzzle through the fence at Trump’s golf course, prompting the Secret Service to take action. The weapon symbolizes the severity of the threat.

💡West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a city in Florida where the assassination attempt took place. Former President Trump was golfing at his club in this area when the incident occurred. Its distinction from nearby Palm Beach is highlighted, as the former is considered a higher crime area, adding complexity to the security measures needed.

💡Perimeter Security

Perimeter security refers to the measures taken to safeguard the outer boundaries of a location. In the video, the challenge of securing the perimeter of Trump’s wide and open golf course is discussed, especially given that the suspect was able to push a rifle through the fence before being detected.

💡Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles were found in the suspect’s backpacks hanging on the fence. While their purpose is not entirely clear in the video, these could have been intended as part of some form of protection or concealment strategy by the assailant. This element adds an intriguing layer to the investigation.

💡GoPro

A GoPro is a small, portable camera often used to capture high-quality footage. The suspect had a GoPro, which may have been intended to document the assassination attempt. This detail adds to the premeditated nature of the incident and the suspect’s desire to capture the event.

💡FBI Investigation

The FBI is the federal investigative body responsible for national security matters. They are leading the investigation into this assassination attempt. The FBI’s involvement indicates the high-profile nature of the crime and its implications for national security.

💡Martin County Sheriff’s Office

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office played a key role in apprehending the suspect. They tracked the vehicle using a license plate number provided by witnesses, leading to the arrest of the suspect near Palm City, Florida. Their cooperation with federal authorities was essential in resolving the incident.

💡Technology in Security

Technology such as infrared goggles and binoculars is used by the Secret Service to detect hidden threats in grassy areas or from a distance. The video emphasizes the importance of these tools in protecting the former president, especially on large, open sites like a golf course.

Highlights

Officials confirm a suspect is in custody after the second assassination attempt on former President Trump in two months.

The suspect was seen with a firearm near the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing.

Secret Service agents spotted the suspect pushing a rifle through the fence line and responded by opening fire.

An AK-47 style rifle with a scope, two backpacks with ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera were recovered at the scene.

The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle but was tracked down by authorities using a license plate number provided by witnesses.

The vehicle was stopped near Palm City, Florida, approximately 45 miles from Trump's golf course.

The suspect was taken into custody, and the FBI is treating the incident as an assassination attempt.

The White House issued a statement saying the President and Vice President have been briefed and are relieved to know Trump is safe.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Ed Cash, a former member of George W. Bush's advance team, comments on the challenges of protecting a wide-open golf course.

Cash emphasizes the importance of technology like infrared goggles and binoculars in spotting threats in grassy areas.

There are multiple security layers in place, with agents on the golf course and others stationed in surrounding areas.

Cash highlights the difference between West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, noting that West Palm Beach has a higher crime rate.

This is not the first assassination attempt on Trump, with another occurring in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Cash praises the Secret Service for executing their security plan successfully in this incident.

Transcripts

EVERYTHING THAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW.

WELL, SHAUN OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO HAVE A SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO THIS NOW SECOND ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN ROUGHLY TWO MONTHS, THE AP REPORTS THE

FORMER PRESIDENT WAS PLAYING GOLF AT HIS WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, CLUB WHEN SECRET SERVICE AGENTS SPOTTED A PERSON WITH A FIREARM.

A FEW HOLES AHEAD OF HIM.

THEY SAY THAT PERSON APPEARED TO BE PUSHING A MUZZLE OF A RIFLE THROUGH THE FENCE LINE, WHICH PROMPTED AGENTS TO OPEN FIRE.

HERE’S WHAT OFFICIALS SAY WAS RECOVERED FROM THE SCENE IN THE BUSHES WHERE THIS GUY WAS IS AN AK 47 STYLE RIFLE WITH A SCOPE, TWO BACKPACKS WHICH WERE HUNG ON THE FENCE THAT HAD CERAMIC TILE

IN THEM, AND A GOPRO, WHICH HE WAS GOING TO TAKE PICTURES OF.

SO THOSE WOULD BE IN PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

OFFICIALS SAY THE SUSPECT FLED THE SCENE IN A VEHICLE.

ABC REPORTS THAT WITNESSES SPOTTED THE PLATE NUMBER OF THE CAR, WHICH LOCAL AUTHORITIES WERE ABLE TO TRACK.

THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE POSTED THESE PHOTOS TO FACEBOOK SHOWING MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES SURROUNDING AN SUV.

THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS A SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE CONNECTED TO THIS INCIDENT.

THAT VEHICLE WAS STOPPED NEAR PALM CITY, FLORIDA, WHICH IS ABOUT A 45 MILE DRIVE NORTH OF TRUMP’S GOLF COURSE.

THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT HAVE BOTH BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS INCIDENT.

THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASING A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART, QUOTE, THEY ARE RELIEVED TO KNOW THAT HE IS SAFE.

THEY WILL BE KEPT REGULARLY UPDATED BY THEIR TEAM.

NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, AND THE FBI SAYS THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THIS AS AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

WE’RE LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM.

DANAE BUCCI WCVB NEWSCENTER FIVE.

ALL RIGHT, DANNY, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND LET’S BRING IN ED CASH, A FRONTIER SECURITY STRATEGIES NOW.

AND A FORMER MEMBER OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH’S ADVANCE TEAM.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING YOUR EVENING WITH US.

ALL RIGHT, SO, ED, AGAIN, INVESTIGATORS JUST TAKING THROUGH WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SECOND ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

FIRST OF ALL, CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH WHAT YOU’RE THINKING NOW?

THIS IS THE SECOND ATTEMPT.

WELL, MY THOUGHT IS HERE IS IT’S IN PALM BEACH NOW, WEST PALM BEACH VERSUS PALM BEACH.

THEY’RE VERY DIFFERENT AREAS.

JUST IMAGINE DOWNTOWN D.C.

VERSUS ANACOSTIA.

THERE IS IT IS A HIGHER CRIME AREA.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF GUNS.

HE’S ON THIS GOLF COURSE.

YOU KNOW, PROBABLY 15, 20 TIMES A YEAR.

SO IT IS MORE DIFFICULT.

IT’S MORE OF A CHALLENGE FOR THE SECRET SERVICE TO YOU KNOW, PROTECT THIS AREA.

BUT THEY’RE USED TO IT.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY DID DO THEIR JOB.

AND THE OUTCOME HAS HAS THEY EXECUTED THE PLAN?

THEY DID.

AND CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, OF COURSE, WALKING FROM THE HOLE.

THIS IS A VERY WIDE GOLF COURSE.

SO FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT IS GOING THROUGH THE MIND OF SECRET SERVICE.

JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO CATCH AN ATTEMPTED ACT LIKE THIS?

WELL, THE TECHNOLOGY IS KEY HERE, RIGHT?

THERE’S THERE’S THERE’S VERY GRASSY AREAS.

THEY’VE GOT INFRARED GOGGLES, GOGGLES, BINOCULARS THAT COULD SEE ANYONE THAT’S HIDING IN THAT AREA.

SO AND THERE’S LAYERS APPROACH.

THERE’S MULTIPLE DIFFERENT LAYERS.

SO THERE’S PEOPLE AGENTS WITH HIM ON THE GOLF COURSE.

BUT THEN THERE’S SOME OUT IN THE STREETS AS WELL RESPONDING TO ANY ANY ANY AREA.

IT’S NOT A RURAL AREA.

SO ANY TYPE OF THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A, YOU KNOW, JUST A DOMESTIC DISPUTE OR SOMETHING.

A CRIME.

AND IT JUST HAPPENED TO SPILL OVER ONTO THE GOLF COURSE.

WE DON’T KNOW.

YEAH.

AND OF COURSE, AUTHORITIES NOW SAYING ED THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT SECRET SERVICE SPOTTED A MUZZLE OF A RIFLE POKING THROUGH THE FENCE AND THE PERIMETER OF THAT GOLF COURSE.

AND THEY DID FIND AN AK STYLE RIFLE THERE ON THE SCENE.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PERIMETERS, THIS WAS A CONVERSATION THAT WAS HAD IN BUTLER COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE FIRST ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW TO SECURE PERIMETERS WHILE TRUMP IS OUT IN THE OPEN?

WELL, THIS THIS IS A SITE, LIKE I SAID, THEY’VE DONE THIS PROBABLY TEN, 15, 20 TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

HE GOES ON GOLF COURSES A LOT.

THIS IS HE OWNS THIS GOLF COURSE.

SO IT’S HIS COURSE.

I, YOU KNOW, I’M NOT SURE JUST YET.

I MEAN, THEY’VE DONE THERE’S BEEN LAYER AFTER LAYER, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WHEN HE’S OUTSIDE ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

SO I THINK THAT THEY EXECUTED THE PLAN HERE LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE YOU KNOW BUTLER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA IS OBVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT NEWS STORY.

DIFFERENT STORY WITH EVERY INVESTIGATION GOING ON.

SO I THINK THAT THEY EXECUTED THE PLAN HERE ACCORDINGLY.

BUT WE’LL FIND OUT MORE THAT COMES OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE WILL, OF COURSE, VERY EARLY ON IN TH