Police foil ‘another assassination attempt’ on Trump, arrest armed suspect in Coachella Valley

Authorities have arrested a man armed with guns and fake passes outside Donald Trump’s rally at Coachella Valley, California.

The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was intercepted by police at a checkpoint about a half-mile from the rally entrance on Saturday.

In a statement, Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, said the suspect was carrying a loaded shotgun, handgun and high capacity magazine.

”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 statement reads.

”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.“

Bianco 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.

Donald Trump was playing golf in the vicinity as the gunshots rang out.

The Secret Service ferried Trump to safety and said it is investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt.