A man from Nevada was arrested Saturday night at a security checkpoint near Donald Trump’s rally in Southern California. Authorities reported that he had a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and ammunition in his vehicle.
The 49-year-old Las Vegas resident was released later that night on a $5,000 bail.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department stated that deputies stopped the suspect while he was driving a black SUV in Coachella, east of Los Angeles. He faces charges for possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
The department confirmed that the incident did not pose a threat to Trump or the rally attendees.
The suspect is set to appear in court on January 2, 2025. Media and VIP ticket holders went through several checkpoints manned by law enforcement before reaching the event, where they were required to open their vehicle hoods and trunks for searches by K-9 officers. General ticket holders were directed to a separate location about three miles away to be transported to the rally site.
Trump’s campaign has not commented on the arrest, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is expected to hold a news conference to address the situation.
