LAST UPDATE | 15 Sep

THE FBI HAS said that a shooting near Donald Trump at a golf course in Florida on Sunday may have been an apparent assassination attempt on the former US president.

Trump’s campaign reported earlier on Sunday that there had been gunshots “in his vicinity” but that he was safe.

The Republican presidential candidate had been golfing at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, during a break from campaigning.

The New York Times has reported that a “person of interest” has been detained along with a weapon, with the newspaper citing local law enforcement officials.

The FBI said later this evening that the incident may have been a deliberate attack on Trump.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” it said in a statement.

In a White House statement shortly after the shooting, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris – Trump’s rival in the upcoming election to succeed Biden – said they are “relieved” to know that Trump is safe.

Harris also issued her own statement condemning the apparent attack, adding that she was “glad [Trump] is safe”.

Trump was accompanied by his Secret Service protective detail – as is standard practice – at the time of the shooting.

A weapon, reportedly an AK-47 style rifle, was recovered, reports said.

It comes amid heightened concern for the candidate’s safety – just two months after the former president was wounded in the ear when a gunman opened fire during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

The US Secret Service, tasked with protecting presidents, former presidents and other dignitaries, faced criticism after the Pennsylvania incident.

The head of the agency later resigned, and at least five of its agents were placed on administrative leave.