Republican Donald Trump was rushed off stage by security agents at a rally in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday night after a false alarm as someon...
Republican Donald Trump was rushed off stage by security agents at a rally in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday night after a false alarm as someone in the crowd shouted "gun" during scuffles with a man who held up a 'Republicans against Trump' sign.
The incident occurred as Trump and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton crisscrossed the United States a late push to win over undecided voters and make sure supporters turn out enthusiastically on Election Day.
Two security agents seized Trump by the shoulders and hustled him backstage as police officers swarmed over a man in the front of the crowd and held him down and searched him before escorting him away with his hands behind his back.
Trump, seemingly unruffled, returned to the stage and continued his speech after a short time, saying "Nobody said it was going to be easy for us" and adding "We will never be stopped."
After being released, the man who was apprehended told CBS News Reno affiliate KTVN-2 that he was a Republican supporter who attended the rally to express his opposition to Trump.
"I came here with this sign expecting boos ... But it was just a sign," Austyn Crites said.
Crites said when he took it out, the crowd began to attack him, choking and beating him before "someone yelled about a gun."
After being held for a few hours' questioning and security and background checks, Crites said he was released, and that the police "did their job."
Crites said he wanted to contrast President Barack Obama’s reaction to a protestor during a rally a few days ago, in which he urged the crowd to respect the protester, with Trump's, saying he wanted “people to understand” the difference.
"I have nothing against Trump supporters," Crites told the station. "We are all registered Republicans and support many of the same candidates for local offices. I have serious concern against Trump," he added.
The Secret Service confirmed that the incident erupted when an unidentified individual in front of the stage shouted "gun."
"Secret Service agents and Reno Police Officers immediately apprehended the subject. Upon a thorough search of the subject and the surrounding area, no weapon was found," the Secret Service said in a statement.
The incident began when Trump noticed what he considered a heckler. Seconds later people near the stage began pointing at someone in the crowd near the front, and agents took Trump away.
In a statement, Trump thanked the Secret Service, Reno and Nevada law enforcement for "their fast and professional response."
At the JFK library in Hialeah, Florida, people lined up outside for early voting. Nearby, supporters of both candidates waved signs and shouted slogans, urging passing drivers to honk their horns.
"We want someone to come in and clean house," said Cuban-American Ariel Martinez, 42, a Trump supporter.
Early voting began in September and the data firm Catalist estimates more than 30 million ballots have been cast in 38 states. There are an estimated 225.8 million eligible U.S. voters. Saturday was the final day for early voting in many Florida counties.
CHANGES IN PLANS
Trump and Clinton campaigns adjusted travel schedules for the next two days to states where they saw opportunity.
Trump told the crowd in Tampa that there would be a campaign event in Minnesota this weekend, although one had not previously been scheduled. Minnesota has not voted for a Republican since 1984. His campaign confirmed a rally scheduled for Wisconsin on Sunday has been canceled.
Clinton started the day by stopping by the West Miami Community Center, a Cuban American neighborhood, with telenovela star Jencarlos Canela, a Miami native of Cuban descent.
She then visited her campaign's office in Little Haiti where there is a large concentration of Haitian-American residents. Clinton was joined by Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was shot dead in 2012 by a Sanford, Florida neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman.
While Trump prefers large-scale rallies, Clinton has filled her campaign schedule with targeted appearances meant to court voters in specific demographics. Cuban voters have historically favored Republicans, but younger generations have shifted toward Democratic Party candidates.
In what was seen as an effort to defend typically Democratic turf, Clinton on Monday will campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning to Pennsylvania for a rally in Philadelphia with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, and former President Bill Clinton.
Trump is to make stops on Sunday in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia to try to steal away some states that have gone Democratic in recent presidential elections.
(Reporting by Emily Stephenson, Amanda Becker, and Luciana Lopez; Writing by Steve Holland and Chris Michaud; editing by Grant McCool, Mary Milliken and Simon Cameron-Moore)
