- Armed man stopped at security checkpoint near Trump rally
- Suspect, Vem Miller, claims no intent to harm Trump
- Authorities investigate possible assassination attempt
A 49-year-old man was arrested near Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday for illegally possessing a shotgun and a loaded handgun, according to police reports.
The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was driving a black SUV when deputies stopped him at a security checkpoint. During the stop, officers discovered two firearms and a “high-capacity magazine.” Miller was taken into custody “without incident,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. After being released, he told US media outlets that he is a Trump supporter and had no intention of harming the Republican presidential candidate.
The US Secret Service stated that Trump “was not in any danger” and assured that the incident did not disrupt protective operations surrounding the rally. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco echoed this sentiment, asserting that the safety of Trump and the rally attendees was not compromised.
While it remains unclear what Miller’s intentions were, Sheriff Bianco expressed his belief that the deputies may have thwarted a potential assassination attempt. He noted, however, that proving such intent would be challenging, describing Miller as “a lunatic.”
Sheriff Bianco, a Republican and Trump supporter himself, is acting as a surrogate for Trump’s re-election campaign. Miller expressed surprise at his arrest, denying any allegations of intending to harm Trump. He also mentioned to Fox News that he “always” travels with guns in his vehicle but had never fired one.
Before his release on a $5,000 bail, Miller faced two misdemeanor weapons charges, with no federal charges currently filed against him. A federal law enforcement official told CBS News that there was no evidence of an assassination attempt related to the incident. Investigations by federal authorities are ongoing, and they will determine if additional charges are warranted.
In a police news conference on Sunday, Sheriff Bianco detailed the events leading to Miller’s arrest. He explained that as the suspect approached an outer perimeter near the rally, he initially appeared to have the right to be there. However, upon reaching the inner perimeter, “many irregularities popped up,” including a homemade license plate and a disorganized vehicle interior.
Authorities found multiple passports and driver’s licenses with different names in the car. Sheriff Bianco noted that Miller claimed to be a member of the far-right group Sovereign Citizens. He described this group as one that does not recognize government authority, stating, “They don’t believe that government and laws apply to them.”
The incident, which occurred at 4:59 PM local time, underscores the heightened security measures surrounding Trump and the risks he faces, especially with the upcoming election just over three weeks away. This follows two alleged assassination attempts earlier this year that have led to increased security at Trump’s events.
Last Saturday, Trump held another rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he had previously been targeted by a sniper. Additionally, a man was arrested in September outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach for hiding with a rifle.
