Lagatar24 Desk
Los Angeles: A man carrying a shotgun and a loaded handgun was arrested near a rally for former President Donald Trump in Coachella, California, on Saturday. The Riverside County sheriff’s office confirmed the arrest, identifying the suspect as 49-year-old Vem Miller from Las Vegas.
The Secret Service, responsible for the safety of presidential candidates, stated that neither Trump nor the attendees were in any immediate danger during the incident. The FBI and US Attorney’s office, in a joint statement with the Secret Service, said that while no federal arrest has been made yet, the investigation remains active.
Miller was arrested by deputies at a checkpoint near the rally as he drove up in a black SUV. He was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine, according to the sheriff’s office. After being booked at a local detention center, Miller was released on bail and is scheduled for a court hearing on January 2.
Third Potential Assassination Attempt Prevented
This incident follows two recent assassination attempts on Trump. In one case, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during an event in Pennsylvania, while another attempt was thwarted at his Florida golf course. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who spoke at Trump’s Coachella rally, suggested that his deputies may have prevented a third assassination attempt with Miller’s arrest.
Bianco, who has previously been linked to the far-right Oath Keepers group, stated in a press conference that Miller had multiple passports and IDs under different names in his unregistered vehicle. Federal authorities are expected to determine any additional charges.
There has been no official comment from the Trump campaign regarding the arrest.
Trump’s rally in California drew significant attention, as it took place in the Democratic-leaning state. Despite temperatures nearing 100°F (38°C), a large crowd gathered for the event, held in Coachella, a city famous for its annual music festival.
