Quick-thinking private security personnel have detained an armed man at an event attended by US Presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jnr. The offender was later arrested by police.
Kennedy shared information about the unnerving incident on social media, which took place at an Hispanic heritage event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles today.
The unnamed suspect arrived at the event wearing a US marshal badge with federal ID and claimed to be working for the organisers. According to Kennedy the man tried to approach him, but he was stopped by security staff. A search revealed the man was wearing two shoulder holsters each with loaded pistols. He was also carrying spare ammunition.
Kennedy later said he was grateful to security and the police for their quick actions and rapid response.
Despite a request, President Joe Biden has refused to provide Kennedy with Secret Service protection.
“I’m still entertaining a hope that President Biden will allow me Secret Service protection. I am the first presidential candidate in history to whom the White House has denied a request for protection,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy’s father Robert was assasinated in 1968. His uncle John F Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assasinated in 1963.