The Los Angeles Post
California & Local U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: February 06, 2025
Today: February 06, 2025

Man with loaded gun arrested at checkpoint near Donald Trump's weekend rally in Southern California

Election 2024 Trump
October 13, 2024

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Nevada man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump's rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.

The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.

The driver claimed to be a journalist but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.

Man with loaded gun arrested at checkpoint near Donald Trump's weekend rally in Southern California
Election 2024 Trump

“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records.

Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect's motives or frame of mind. “We know we prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be," Bianco said.

Man with loaded gun arrested at checkpoint near Donald Trump's weekend rally in Southern California
Election 2024 Trump

The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff's department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the rally site was operated by the Secret Service.

“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time, the investigation is ongoing.”

Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest.

Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Related Articles

Citizen tip helps agents find pair who illegally crossed US-Canada border Gun ownership rules in Sweden Six puppies rescued after found abandoned in mine shaft Attorney says argument over an Xbox ended in shooting, claims self-defense

Related

Crime|Political|US

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on 'sanctuary' cities

The Trump administration is suing Chicago over what are known as sanctuary laws

Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on 'sanctuary' cities
Africa|Americas|Crime|Political|World

More Kenyan police arrive in Haiti to boost security mission

A contingent of 144 additional Kenyan police arrived in the Haitian capital on Thursday, part of a U.N.-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission that aims to support

More Kenyan police arrive in Haiti to boost security mission
Business|Crime|Technology|US

LG is sending free stickers to 500,000 customers who bought its recalled stove that caused 28 house fires

LG is sending free stickers to 500,000 customers who bought its recalled stove that caused 28 house fires

LG is sending free stickers to 500,000 customers who bought its recalled stove that caused 28 house fires
Crime|Health|US

'Bridge Angel' honored by family of man she saved from jumping

'Bridge Angel' honored by family of man she saved from jumping

'Bridge Angel' honored by family of man she saved from jumping
Share This

Popular

Crime|Political|US

US homeland secretary plans to visit Guantanamo migrant site on Friday

US homeland secretary plans to visit Guantanamo migrant site on Friday
Crime|Political|US

US judge accuses Trump of ignoring rule of law to curb birthright citizenship

US judge accuses Trump of ignoring rule of law to curb birthright citizenship
Crime|Political|US

Trump administration disbands task force targeting Russian oligarchs

Trump administration disbands task force targeting Russian oligarchs
Crime|MidEast|Political|US

Attorney General Bondi cuts back on programs that ran afoul of Trump

Attorney General Bondi cuts back on programs that ran afoul of Trump