According to reports, local police – back in April, RFK Jr. was denied Secret Service protection despite multiple attempts to obtain it – leapt into action and apprehended the armed man, 44-year-old Adrian Paul Aispuro, who was wearing a shirt with "EMS" written on the back.
The event took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, located at 4401 West 8th Street, and was intended to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is credited with saving RFK Jr.'s life when it responded to a call at around 4:30 pm, just 30 minutes into the four hour-long appearance, stating that a man was in front of the venue with "a badge on [his] lapel, a gun, and a shoulder holster, and claimed to be a U.S. Marshal."
A spokesman for RFK Jr. confirmed that he had not yet arrived at the venue when the armed man was spotted and dealt with. The LAPD also confirmed that the armed man had claimed to be employed as a security officer for the event, though none of the security staff recognized him.
(Related: Last month, RFK Jr. warned that "death scientists" are developing killer bioweapons in America.)
LAPD, security team deserve commendation for nabbing the suspect before he had the chance to target RFK Jr.
An LAPD officer who was present on the scene at the time sent a note to a representative of RFK Jr.'s campaign. That note stated: "Male imp. fed. agent w/ handgun and ammo exposed ... claimed to be employed for event, but wasn't recognized by sec."
It is unclear whether or not the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will take over the case at this point. We also do not know the details of any potential charges to be filed against the suspect, who is not yet officially booked.
After learning about the incident, RFK Jr. himself took to Twitter to express gratitude towards the LAPD and the security company in charge of the event for their prompt action in dealing with the threat before it resulted in a tragedy.
"I'm very grateful that alert and fast-acting protectors from [security company] Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA) spotted and detained an armed man who attempted to approach me at [the event] tonight," RFK Jr. tweeted.
"The man, wearing two shoulder holsters with loaded pistols and spare ammunition magazines was carrying a U.S. Marshal badge on a lanyard and beltclip (sic) federal ID. He identified himself as a member of my security detail."
"Armed GDBA team members moved quickly to isolate and detain the man until LAPD arrived to make the arrest. I'm also grateful to LAPD for its rapid response."
None of this would have even happened this way, potentially putting RFK Jr.'s life at risk, had the 2024 presidential candidate's repeated requests for a proper Secret Service detail not been denied.
"Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection," RFK Jr. further wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "But not me."
On its website, the U.S. Secret Service stipulates that it only provides protection to presidential candidates starting 120 days prior to the general election. This means that RFK Jr. will not be eligible for Secret Service protection until July 2024.
The latest news about RFK Jr.'s run for the presidency can be found at VoteDemocrat.news.
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