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2016 Donald Trump Las Vegas rally incident

Coordinates: 36°07′29″N 115°10′19″W / 36.12472°N 115.17194°W / 36.12472; -115.17194
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2016 Donald Trump Las Vegas rally incident
Part of security incidents involving Donald Trump
Donald Trump addressing rally attendees in Enterprise, Nevada, in February 2016
LocationMystère Theatre, Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, United States[1]
Coordinates36°07′29″N 115°10′19″W / 36.12472°N 115.17194°W / 36.12472; -115.17194
DateJune 18, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-06-18)[1]
11:35 am[1] (Pacific)
TargetDonald Trump
Deaths0
Injured0
PerpetratorMichael Steven Sandford
MotiveStop Donald Trump from becoming president
Convictions
Criminal penalty12 months and one day imprisonment (released and deported after 11 months)

On June 18, 2016, at a rally for Donald Trump's 2016 United States presidential campaign in Paradise, Nevada, Michael Steven Sandford, a 20-year-old British citizen, attempted to grab the service pistol of a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer providing security for the event.[2] Having failed to do so and having been arrested, Sandford claimed that he had wished to kill Trump to prevent him from being elected U.S. president.[3]

Sandford was charged with disorderly conduct and with being an "illegal alien in possession of a firearm" for having previously rented a pistol at a shooting range. On September 13, 2016, he pleaded guilty to both charges.[3] Sandford was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment,[2][4] and was released and deported to the United Kingdom after 11 months in custody.[5]

Sandford had a history of mental disorders, and the incident prompted criticism of mental health care in the United Kingdom.[6] While the incident did not receive sustained media coverage in the United States,[7] it was the subject of a documentary commissioned by the BBC in February 2017.[6][8]

Background

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Sandford, aged 20, traveled from his home in Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom, to the United States for an extended California vacation in early 2015.[9] In June 2016, he acquired a ticket for the Trump campaign event, also reserving a ticket for a rally to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, later the same day.[10][11]

The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, the scene of the incident

On June 16, 2016, Sandford drove to Las Vegas, where he visited the shooting range Battlefield Vegas for instruction and practiced shooting a rented 9mm Glock 17 pistol.[12][13] This was the first time Sandford had fired a gun; the range safety officer who assisted him described him as "not a good shot".[12] Because Sandford had overstayed his visa, the rental of a firearm to him was illegal.[1][13]

On the evening of June 17, Sandford joined a queue at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino for the following day's rally.[1] At 9:00 am the following morning, the approximately 1,500 rally attendees were allowed into the Mystère Theater.[1][14] The event was under the protection of the United States Secret Service, and magnetometers were used to detect any weapons brought into the venue.[15][16]

Incident

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At 11:35 am,[17] as Trump was speaking, Sandford noticed that Ameel Jacob, a police officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department who was providing security for the event, appeared to have his Glock 17 pistol unlocked in its holster. Sandford approached Jacob, who was positioned approximately nine meters (30 feet) from the stage where Trump was speaking, and engaged him in conversation, saying that he wanted Trump's autograph. While talking to Jacob, Sandford "reached down to try and pull the officer's gun, but it got stuck in his holster".[2][12] Sandford was immediately subdued and arrested by Jacob and two other police officers.[13][18][19] Sandford was described as appearing "confused" at the time of his arrest.[20][21]

After being taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Sandford was handed over to the United States Secret Service.[22] After agreeing to waive his Miranda rights, Sandford was interrogated by two special agents, during which time he stated that his intent had been "to kill Trump", that "if he were on the street tomorrow, he would try this again", and that he had been planning the attempt "for about a year".[17][23] Sandford also stated that he had only anticipated being able to fire "one to two" shots and that he had expected to have been killed.[23][24][25]

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Following his arrest, Sandford was held in the Nevada Southern Detention Center.[20] Due to his mental health conditions, Sandford was kept in solitary confinement and repeatedly put under suicide watch.[6] On June 20, 2016, a complaint was filed with the United States District Court for the District of Nevada charging Sandford with committing an act of violence on restricted ground.[24][26] Sandford appeared in a Nevada District Court on June 20, 2016, where he was charged with committing an act of violence on restricted ground. Sandford's public defender, Heather Fraley, argued that Sandford should be bailed to a halfway house given his lack of a criminal record, but he was denied bail by Magistrate Judge George Foley Jr. on the basis that he presented a flight risk and was a potential danger to the community.[1][17][27][28] On June 29, a federal grand jury indicted Sandford on three felonies: two counts of being an "illegal alien in possession of a firearm" and one count of "impeding and disrupting the orderly conduct of government business and official functions".[29] Each charge carried a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.[30] U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also issued a detainer against Sandford relating to an immigration violation.[31]

Sandford was arraigned on the three charges on July 7, 2016, pleading not guilty to each. His trial was set for August 22, 2016.[29] The Sandford family's UK lawyer, Saimo Chahal of Bindmans, requested that the trial be adjourned to enable "psychological evidence and psychiatric evidence" to be submitted in favor of Sandford being repatriated to the UK to receive treatment for mental illness there.[32] Subsequently, at the urging of his family, Sandford signed a plea agreement that reduced his maximum sentence from 20 years to 27 months[19][33][34][35] and protected Sandford from any additional charges arising from the investigation[36] while waiving Sandford's right to appeal.[19] On September 13, 2016, Sandford pleaded guilty in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada to charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm (this pertaining to the firearm he had on June 16, 2016, rented for practice at a shooting range) and impeding and disrupting the orderly conduct of government business and official functions, saying "I tried to take a gun from a policeman to shoot someone with, and I'm pleading guilty."[33][37] A third charge of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm was dropped.[19][2] Sandford apologized for his actions, saying, "I know saying sorry is not enough. I really do feel awful about what I did. I wish there was some way to make things better. I have cost taxpayers so much money. I feel terrible."[38] Sandford reported having no memory of the incident.[39]

Sandford was sentenced at a hearing on December 13, 2016, receiving 12 months and one day's imprisonment.[2][40][41][42] He was also fined US$200 and required to undertake a rehabilitation program.[43] The sentencing judge, James C. Mahan, acknowledged Sandford's mental health issues, stating, "I don't think you harbored malice in your heart ... You have a medical problem ... I don't see you as evil or a sociopath."[4] Mahan described the incident as a "goofy, crazy stunt" driven by "voices" Sandford thought he was hearing and instructed Sandford to "stay on your medication".[44] Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 18 months.[45][46]

Sandford served most of his sentence in the Nevada Southern Detention Center.[21] He was repeatedly placed on suicide watch[47] and stated that he was confined to his cell "most of the time".[48] In January 2017, Sandford's mother stated that Sandford was being harassed by "Trump-supporting guards and inmates".[49][50] In February 2017, Sandford was relocated to a different jail.[51] Sandford became eligible for early release in April 2017; the following month, he was released from prison and deported to the United Kingdom.[5][52][53]

In advance of Trump's first presidential trip to the UK in July 2018, the UK Crown Prosecution Service sought a Serious Crime Prevention Order against Sandford on the basis that he posed a "serious risk" to Trump, seeking to curtail his activities during the time of the visit. The Order was successfully opposed by Sandford's attorney, who evidenced that the legal test could not be met, resulting in the claim being dismissed.[54]

Reaction and analysis

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Trump briefly acknowledged the scuffle in his campaign speech, saying, "We love you, police. Thank you. Thank you, officers," as Sandford was led out of the arena.[19][55] When Fox News interviewer Maria Bartiromo asked Trump about Sandford allegedly having overstayed his visa in the United States, Trump said, "Well, that's what's happening. I mean, look, we have no law, we have no order when it comes to many things. I mean, we're just talking about immigration," and speculated that there were "millions" of people in the United States who had overstayed their visas.[56]

The incident received little coverage in the American media.[7][57][58] Journalists and political commentators attributed this to its "feebly unsophisticated" and "poorly conceived" nature.[57] They also suggested that Trump and his supporters declined to make political capital from the incident,[7][57] as "a white British non-Muslim man did not fit his narrative of 'threat'".[59] The Oregonian noted the short sentence given to Sandford, suggesting that "U.S. officials [...] apparently do not consider Sandford a threat."[60] Writing in The Independent, Peter Walker was critical of the decision to incarcerate Sandford, opining "The autistic do not respond well to deterrents, and this is why [Sandford] should never have spent a single day in prison [...] if sentenced in the UK, I've no doubt this punishment would have recommended a hospital order or counseling."[61]

The BBC produced a documentary about the incident and various issues concerning mental health and treatment of individuals affected by disorders. Titled The Brit Who Tried to Kill Trump, it aired on BBC Three on the BBC iPlayer, then on BBC One in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2017. The film was critical of mental health care in the UK, stating that "NHS resources [are] increasingly stretched by government cuts" and "There's also this difficult crossover period around 18 years old when someone passes from youth to adult services and people can get lost in the system."[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Miller, Michael E. (June 21, 2016). "British man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump acted 'weird' and 'nervous' before rally". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "British man who was arrested at Trump rally sentenced on weapon and disruption charges" (Press release). United States Department of Justice. December 13, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "British man pleads guilty to plan to shoot Trump at Las Vegas rally". The Guardian. Associated Press. September 13, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Briton jailed over Trump death plot". BBC News. December 13, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Dobinson, Isabel (May 5, 2017). "Donald Trump assassination attempt: Michael Sandford returns home after serving sentence". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Frizzell, Nell (January 27, 2017). "'He never even watched the news' – the Brit who tried to kill Trump". The Guardian. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Medrano, Kastalia (June 22, 2016). "Yes, that Donald Trump assassination attempt should've gotten more attention". Bustle. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  8. ^ "The Brit Who Tried to Kill Trump". BBC iPlayer Streaming Service.
  9. ^ "Havant man's son held for Donald Trump assassination bid". The News. June 21, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  10. ^ Woolf, Nicky (June 30, 2016). "Briton charged in US after 'assassination attempt' on Donald Trump". The Guardian. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  11. ^ Acosta, Jim; Clary, Greg (June 30, 2016). "Man who attempted to grab gun at rally wanted 'to kill Trump'". CNN. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c Varley, Ciaran (January 20, 2017). "The Brit who tried to kill Trump". BBC News. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c Helsel, Phil (July 6, 2016). "British man in alleged plot to kill Donald Trump pleads not guilty". NBC News. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  14. ^ O'Neal, Nathan (June 19, 2016). "Trump talks tough at Las Vegas rally, 1 arrested". KSNV. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
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  23. ^ a b Hattenstone, Simon (July 30, 2016). "'They said my son intended to assassinate Donald Trump. And my world just stopped'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
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  25. ^ Deng, Boer (December 14, 2016). "Autistic man who tried to assassinate Trump is jailed". The Times. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  26. ^ "The Latest: Friend says man in Trump case needs help". Associated Press. June 21, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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  28. ^ Mendick, Robert; Sawer, Patrick (June 22, 2016). "Briton accused of trying to kill Donald Trump was a Robot Wars obsessive". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  29. ^ a b Woolf, Nicky (July 7, 2016). "British man pleads not guilty to charges in Donald Trump assassination attempt". The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  30. ^ "US Election: British man indicted on weapons charges over Trump rally incident". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. June 30, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  31. ^ Ritter, Ken (July 6, 2016). "Michael Sandford pleads not guilty in Donald Trump shooting plot case". Global News. AP. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  32. ^ Harris, Dominic (August 2, 2016). "Human rights lawyers call for Donald Trump assassination bid accused to be sent home to UK". The Irish News. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  33. ^ a b "Briton pleads guilty on Trump gun charges". BBC News. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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  35. ^ Ritter, Ken (September 13, 2016). "British man pleads guilty in Trump attack case in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Greenspun Media Group. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  36. ^ Clemons, Marvin (December 11, 2016). "British man who tried to shoot Trump at Treasure Island will be sentenced Tuesday". News3LV. KSNV. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  37. ^ Locher, John (September 13, 2016). "British man pleads guilty in Trump attempted attack case". CBS News. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  38. ^ Johnston, Chris (December 13, 2016). "Briton Michael Sandford jailed over plan to shoot Donald Trump". The Guardian. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  39. ^ Watkinson, William (September 21, 2016). "Autistic Briton who grabbed gun in attempt to shoot Donald Trump says incident was a 'blur'". International Business Times. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  40. ^ Chahal, Saimo (December 14, 2016). "Michael Sandford sentenced for 12 months and a day to be served in the US". Bindmans. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  41. ^ Johnson, Eric M. (December 13, 2016). "British tourist sentenced on weapons charge over Trump rally scare". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  42. ^ Botkin, Ben (December 13, 2016). "British man gets 1 year in prison for trying to kill Trump at Las Vegas rally". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  43. ^ Van Klaveren, Tom (December 29, 2016). "Donald Trump assassination attempt: Dorking man Michael Sandford due home by April but family won't relax yet". Surrey Mirror. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  44. ^ Ritter, Ken (December 13, 2016). "British man gets prison time in Trump attack case in Vegas". Associated Press. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  45. ^ Lawler, David (December 13, 2016). "Michael Sandford: Briton jailed over plan to shoot Donald Trump". The Daily Telegraph. Press Association. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  46. ^ Chahal, Saimo (2016). "British man tried to 'rid the world of Trump' while hearing voices" (PDF). Annual Review 2016. Bindmans. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
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  51. ^ Van Klaveren, Tom (April 19, 2017). "Donald Trump assassination attempt: Michael Sandford looking forward to seeing Dorking landmark upon his release". Surrey Advertiser. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
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  53. ^ Hopkins, Steven (May 9, 2017). "Briton Michael Sandford who tried to grab gun at Trump rally 'heard voices telling him to kill'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  54. ^ "Saimo Chahal QC (Hon)". Bindmans. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  55. ^ Edelman, Adam (June 22, 2016). "Donald Trump says he learned of would-be assassin at Las Vegas rally on TV – 'Better off' that Secret Service didn't tell me". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  56. ^ Gass, Nick (June 22, 2016). "Trump: I learned about assassination attempt through TV". Politico. Capitol News Company. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  57. ^ a b c Borchers, Callum (June 21, 2016). "Why isn't the assassination attempt on Donald Trump bigger news?". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  58. ^ Pitts, Leonard Jr. (June 21, 2016). "Killing Donald Trump won't kill his ideas". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  59. ^ Warsi, Baroness Warsi, Sayeeda (2017). The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-0-241-27604-4.
  60. ^ Perry, Douglas (May 5, 2017). "British man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump is free, leaves country". The Oregonian/OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  61. ^ Walker, Peter (December 16, 2016). "Why the autistic 'would-be' Donald Trump assassin' Michael Sandford, shouldn't be in jail". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
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