Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is safe after what the FBI said appeared to be an assassination attempt outside Mr Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida.
Law enforcement officials told a press conference that the gunman was in some bushes near the property line of the golf course when Secret Service agents, who were clearing holes ahead of Mr Trump, spotted a rifle barrel in the bushes.
Agents engaged the gunman and fired at least four rounds of ammunition around 1:30pm (6:30pm Irish time).
The gunman then dropped his rifle, two backpacks and other items and fled in a black Nissan car.
A witness, the sheriff said, saw the gunman and managed to take photos of his car and licence plate.
The gunman was spotted about 365 to 457 metres from where Mr Trump was playing, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
He added: "The Secret Service did exactly what should have been done."
Authorities then sent out an alert to state-wide agencies with the vehicle's information, which led to sheriff's deputies in neighbouring Martin County stopping and apprehending the suspect on I-95.
"We have somebody in custody right now," Mr Bradshaw said.
Mr Trump's campaign had earlier said he was safe following gunshots in his vicinity.
Mr Trump sent an email to his fundraising list saying he is "safe and well".
Mr Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13, raising questions about protection for candidates just months ahead of what looks likely to be highly contested 5 November election in which he will face off against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been briefed about the incident and were relieved to know that he is safe.
"Violence has no place in America," Ms Harris said in an X social media post.
I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 15, 2024
In a post on X, Mr Trump's running mate JD Vance said he had spoken to the former president.
Mr Vance said the 78-year-old was "in good spirits".
I'm glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 15, 2024
Still much we don't know, but I'll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.
The Washington Post said Mr Trump had been golfing at the course when the incident occurred.
Secret Service agents took him to a holding room at the club, it said, citing two people briefed on what had happened.
Mr Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The previous assassination attempt was the first shooting of a US president or major party presidential candidate in more than four decades.
It was a security lapse that forced Kimberly Cheatle to resign as Secret Service director under bipartisan congressional pressure.
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
The US Secret Service's new acting director said in August that he was "ashamed" of the security lapse that led to the assassination attempt.
