Donald Trump assassination attempt: Security questioned as Sheriff admits shooter got close

Only months after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt in which he was grazed by a bullet, the security around the former US President and Republican candidate for the presidency is being called into question again.

The press conference held by local police, the FBI and the Secret Service has unearthed surprising new details about the levels of security support for Donald Trump.

“At this level, he (Trump) is not the sitting President so he does not have the same security. I would imagine the next time he comes to play there will be some more people around, said West Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

The latest incident is being treated by the FBI as another assassination attempt after the suspect fired an AK47 from bushes close to where the Republican candidate was playing golf.

Although the agents are being praised for their heroic efforts to discover and engage with the shooter, calls are ringing out as to how the perimeter of the golf course was not cordoned off and a much wider exclusion zone was patrolled.

When asked about the situation and the shootout a Secret Service spokesman said: “The threat level is high. We live in dangerous times.”

Pictures released by law enforcement at the press conference show appeared to show the sniper’s nest and raised questions as to how someone was able to get so close to Trump.

When asked how close the shooter came to Donald Trump West Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said: “Probably between 300 and 500 yards – but with a rifle and scope like that, that’s not a lot of distance.”

Bradshaw then explained that in addition to his AK47 with scope, the suspect had two backpacks as well as a GoPro for filming the event.

“The Secret Service did exactly what they were supposed to do, and their agent did a fantastic job,” Bradshaw said.

But the questions swirl around the lack of resourcing for the Trump security detail after the shooter was allowed to speed off in a car only to be detained in a neighbouring county.