An alarming incident occurred outside President Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella, California, where law enforcement apprehended an armed man.
The suspect, 49-year-old Vem Miller from Las Vegas, was found carrying a loaded handgun, a shotgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
🚨A THIRD assassination attempt against Trump was stopped by cops in CA
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 13, 2024
The shooter had forged VIP passes so this was a sophisticated operation
When will Democrats finally stop calling this man a “threat to Democracy”?!
They’re inciting the crazies & they know it
Enough! pic.twitter.com/mktthNKO4n
Notably, he was also found with fake VIP and press passes, which raised suspicions at a security checkpoint near the rally venue.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco suggested this could have been a third assassination attempt against Trump, stating, “We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” according to the New York Post.
The arrest occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday when deputies stopped Miller’s black SUV about half a mile from the rally site.
Despite the potential threat, the sheriff’s office confirmed that Trump and the rally attendees were not in danger. Miller was taken into custody without incident and later released on $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court in January 2025. This incident follows two previous assassination attempts on Trump, one in Pennsylvania and another at his golf course in Florida.
The arrest has raised concerns about security at events involving the former president. Sheriff Bianco indicated that Miller is believed to be associated with a right-wing anti-government group and identifies as a “sovereign citizen,” which may have influenced his actions.
Trump’s rally in Coachella garnered significant attention, even in a predominantly Democratic state, attracting a large crowd despite temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The former president remains a polarizing figure, eliciting both strong support and intense opposition nationwide.