Police officers in California arrested a man with weapons near a rally being held by Donald Trump, it has emerged.
The 49-year-old man was found in possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun and high-capacity magazine on Saturday afternoon local time.
Officers stopped him near the rally in Coachella at a checkpoint in a black SUV.
Local paper The Press-Enterpise quoted Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco as saying: “We probably stopped another assassination attempt.”
The US Secret Service said in a statement: “We were contacted as it happened and secret service agents conducted a productive intelligence interview. It had no impact on the event and we are looking into the circumstances and the backgrounds of the individuals.”
Read more from the US:
SpaceX rocket booster caught by ‘chopsticks’
Why Trump biopic is an unwelcome surprise for his campaign
Annual wife-carrying championship takes Maine by storm
Riverside County Sherriff’s Office said in a statement: “On Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 4.59pm, 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 man] 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.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
