Update: Sources are now saying this was not an assassination attempt:
NEW: Sources close to the Trump campaign tell @FoxNews there was no assassination attempt against Trump at his Coachella, CA rally yesterday. We’re told a man with a gun was arrested at the perimeter of the event without incident.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 13, 2024
Original article below:
A third potential assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was averted on Saturday when local authorities stopped a man armed with guns and fake credentials near Trump’s rally in Coachella Valley, California.
Breaking news from the United States: It appears there have been a third assassination attempt on Trump in three months. https://t.co/nX9Rsynbvu
— R A W S G L 🌎 B A L (@RawsGlobal) October 13, 2024
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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed that the suspect was intercepted by police about a mile from the rally venue.
The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was reportedly found with a loaded shotgun, a handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
He also had fake press and VIP passes that raised suspicions among law enforcement officers.
According to Bianco, Miller was apprehended at a checkpoint about half a mile from the rally entrance, where deputies noted that the counterfeit passes were “different enough to cause alarm.”
“We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” Bianco told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. He further explained that the quick actions of law enforcement likely prevented a dangerous situation from unfolding at the rally.
Miller, who holds a master’s degree from UCLA and ran for a seat in the Nevada State Assembly in 2022, is believed to be associated with a right-wing anti-government organization, according to Bianco.
Authorities suspect he was plotting to harm the former president during the event.
The arrest took place as law enforcement personnel conducted routine security checks near the rally.
The discovery of Miller’s weapons, along with the fake passes, prompted immediate action by officers.
He was taken into custody and booked for possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine, both of which are illegal under California law.
Despite the serious nature of the arrest, Miller was released after posting $5,000 bail, according to police records.
The incident is currently under investigation, and additional charges could be filed pending the outcome.
This marks the third possible assassination attempt targeting Trump, heightening concerns about the safety of the former president as he continues to hold rallies across the country.
Previous threats against Trump have similarly been thwarted by law enforcement, who remain vigilant in protecting the former president at public appearances.
Trump’s rally in Coachella Valley went on without incident following the arrest.
The event, which drew thousands of supporters, was part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to mobilize his base ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
The former president has faced a series of legal battles and political challenges, yet he remains a leading figure in the Republican Party and a likely contender in the upcoming election.
Riverside County authorities have not released additional details about the investigation, but Sheriff Bianco emphasized that the situation could have escalated quickly if officers had not acted promptly. “This was a potentially dangerous individual armed with multiple weapons, and we are grateful for the quick response of our deputies,” Bianco stated.
Law enforcement officials across the country are expected to continue closely monitoring Trump’s public events as he makes appearances on the campaign trail.
The heightened security measures reflect ongoing concerns about the safety of political figures in an increasingly polarized climate.
As the investigation into Miller’s motives and background continues, authorities are working to determine whether he had any accomplices or broader connections to anti-government groups.
For now, the swift intervention of Riverside County deputies appears to have prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
Read the full press release from the Riverside County Sheriff:
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 the intersection of 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.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Coronado at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 836–1600.
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