FORMER United States President Donald Trump said he is “safe and well” after gunshots were reported in his vicinity as he played golf at his resort in Florida.
The FBI said it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump”, in the incident the Secret Service said occurred before 2pm local time (18:00 GMT) on Sunday.
“I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!” Trump said in a statement on his website.
“But, there are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us,” the Republican presidential nominee added. “I will not stop fighting for you. I will never surrender.”
In a statement, the FBI said it “has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump”.
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, multiple media reports said.
At a joint news conference with the FBI, Secret Service and local officials, officials said that a Secret Service agent, who was one hole ahead of Trump on the golf course, spotted a person with a firearm and fired in his direction.
It was unclear if the suspect fired back at the agent, the officials added.
The Palm County sheriff 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, officials added.
A backpack, GoPro camera, firearm scope and AK-47-style rifle were recovered from the scene, the officials said.
