Donald Trump Rushed Off Stage by Secret Service at Rally

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was briefly rushed off stage Saturday evening at a rally in Reno, Nevada after an apparent security incident.

Speaking at a rally three days before Election Day, Trump was rushed off stage by two Secret Service agents just after 6 p.m. local time after a disturbance near the front of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center hall. Secret Service agents, Trump Security, and a local SWAT team could be seen rushing an area near the stage moments after Trump was escorted out of the room. It appeared one person was removed by law enforcement.

Several civilians told reporters that they had observed a person with a gun at the rally, and supporters could be heard shouting “he’s got a gun” before agents rushed toward Trump.

A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity said authorities did not recover a weapon. It appears that the crowd overreacted to a person raising a sign, and someone shouted “gun,” the official said.

According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service, “Mr. Trump was removed from the stage by his Secret Service protective detail after a commotion occurred in the crowd, immediately in front of the stage and an unidentified individual shouted ‘gun.'” “Secret Service agents and Reno Police Officers immediately apprehended the subject,” the spokesperson added. “Upon a thorough search of the subject and the surrounding area, no weapon was found. A thorough investigation is ongoing at this time by the U.S. Secret Service and the Reno Police Department.”

Trump returned to the stage about 10 minutes later to continue delivering his stump speech. “No one said it would be easy for us,” Trump said, addressing the incident. “But we will never be stopped.” He also thanked the Secret Service for their work.

Trump also issued a statement Saturday evening: “I would like to thank the United States Secret Service and the law enforcement resources in Reno and the state of Nevada for their fast and professional response. I also want to thank the many thousands of people present for their unwavering and unbelievable support. Nothing will stop us – we will make America great again!”

It’s not the first security incident at a Trump rally. In a March speech in Vandalia, Ohio, Secret Service agents rushed the stage briefly after a disturbance in the crowd. And at a June rally in Las Vegas, Michael Steven Sandford attempted to steal a police officer’s weapon, allegedly in order to shoot Trump. He pleaded guilty to federal charges in September.

After the event, Trump departed Reno for his final event of the day in Denver.