Police authorities in the United States have arrested a man armed with guns outside Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella Valley, California.
The Riverside County sheriff, Chad Bianco, said in a statement that the suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was carrying a loaded shotgun, handgun, and high-capacity magazine.
He was intercepted by police at a checkpoint about a half-mile from the rally entrance on Saturday.
The statement reads, ”On Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 4:59 p.m., deputies assigned to former President Donald Trump’s rally in the Coachella Valley contacted the driver of a black SUV at a checkpoint at Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive.
”The male driver, identified as Vem Miller, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was found to be illegally in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
”Miller was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center for possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine. This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.“
The sheriff reportedly said the authorities “probably stopped another assassination attempt.”
The incident comes months after the former president survived an assassination attempt during a rally.
The bullet grazed Trump’s ear as security operatives killed Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old suspect.
Also in September, another assassination attempt took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
The former President was playing golf in the vicinity as the gunshots rang out.
He was ferried to safety by the Secret Service, who said it was investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt.