The United States Secret Service has said former President Donald Trump is safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity as he played golf at his resort in Florida.

The Secret Service said the incident occurred before 2pm local time (18:00 GMT) on Sunday and that it was investigating.

“The former president is safe,” the agency said.

In a statement, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said: “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time.”

Trump had been golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, during a day away from the presidential campaign, multiple media reports said.

The shooting took place on the grounds of the golf course, and a “person of interest” has been detained along with a weapon, the New York Times reported, citing local law enforcement officials.

The Associated Press reported that US Secret Service agents opened fire after seeing a person with a firearm near Trump’s golf club, citing two unnamed law enforcement sources, adding that no injuries were reported.

‘Violence has no place in America’

The White House said US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, had both been briefed and would be kept updated on the investigation.

The White House added that both Biden and Harris were “relieved” to know Trump is safe.

“Violence has no place in America,” Harris said in an X social media post.

Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on July 13, raising questions about protection for the candidates just months ahead of what looks likely to be highly contested November 5 election in which he will face-off against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kimberly Cheatle was forced to resign as Secret Service director under bipartisan congressional pressure.

Trump was grazed in the right ear and one rallygoer was killed in the gunfire.

The gunman, identified as a 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.

The US Secret Service’s new acting director said in August that he was “ashamed” of a security lapse that led to the assassination attempt.