A man was arrested near Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally in California’s Coachella on Saturday, October 12, after law enforcement officers recovered a loaded firearm and high-capacity magazine in his vehicle, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said on Sunday.
The suspect has been identified as Vem Miller from Nevada. He was intercepted by cops at a checkpoint about a kilometre from an entrance to the rally, police said.
“We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” Riverside county sheriff, Chad Bianco, said. The sheriff added that Miller was plotting to kill the former US President.
Miller, 49, was also carrying false press and VIP passes when he was caught by cops. He was driving a black SUV that was stopped at a security checkpoint outside the Republican candidate’s rally.
The 49-year-old has been charged with illegal possession of a loaded firearm and ammunition. He was, however, released on the same day on a USD 5,000 bail.
“The incident did not impact the safety of former president Trump or attendees of the event,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
A joint federal statement was issued by the US Attorney’s Office, US Secret Service, and FBI regarding the incident.
“The US Attorney’s Office, US Secret Service, and FBI are aware of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s arrest on Saturday. The US Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and Former President Trump was not in any danger. While no federal arrest has been made at this time, the investigation is ongoing,” the statement read.
“The US Attorney’s Office, US Secret Service, and FBI extend their gratitude to the deputies and local partners who helped ensure the safety of last night’s events,” it added.
This is not the first attempt on Trump’s life who narrowly survived an assassination bid in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. The bullet fired grazed Trump’s right ear during a campaign rally.
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Another incident was reported in September. Security officers caught and charged another man with an assassination attempt on Trump.
