FBI confirm 'attempted assassination' of Donald Trump while he was playing golf

The FBI is investigating an 'attempted assassination' of former United States President Donald Trump while he was playing a round of golf at his Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach this afternoon. 

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung has confirmed in a statement that Trump is safe and unharmed.

"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity," said Cheung.

According to Fox News, Trump, 78, was getting ready to putt on the 5th hole when multiple gunshots were fired in his direction. 

Fox News' Sean Hannity said "within seconds the Secret Service pounced on Trump and covered him, and they had eyes on the location where the shots had been fired."

Law enforcement sources have confirmed one person has been detained in connection with this latest attempted assassination of Trump.

It marks a second assassination attempt of Trump in the last two months. 

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The Secret Service was immediately notified of multiple gunshots being fired in the direction of Trump at 1.30pm local time.

A witness came forward and told the Secret Service they saw the suspect running out of some bushes at the golf course and into a black Nissan.

The witness managed to take a picture of the vehicle and the number plate, which was vital in the Secret Service's investigation as they were able to track down the suspect within moments.

The Secret Service confirmed in a media briefing that Trump was located between 300 and 500 yards away from the suspect who opened fire.

An AK-47 style rifle with a scope, two backpacks and a GoPro have now been recovered.

A scope means you can target somebody from a long distance for an assassination. 

Questions are now underway as to how the suspect had access to Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, and also how the suspect knew Trump would be playing there today. 

Trump is now safely back at his Mar-a-Lago Club. 

Today's incident comes two months after Trump survived a first assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on 13 July.