A Nevada man with a shotgun, loaded handgun and ammunition in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert , authorities said on Sunday. He was released on Saturday on bail of US$5,000.
The suspect, a 49-year-old Las Vegas resident, was driving a black SUV that was stopped by officers assigned to the gathering in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or event attendees,” the statement said.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records.
Members of the media, as well as VIP ticket holders, were directed through a number of intersections patrolled by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a site about 3 miles from the rally, where they were put on buses and taken to the site.
Donald Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco scheduled an afternoon news conference to discuss the arrest.
