Reno (US), Nov 6 (PTI): Republican White House candidate Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents at a rally in Nevada after someone in the crowd shouted "gun" which led to commotion near his podium.
US Secret Service and local police apprehended a suspect at the rally in Reno, Nevada. The federal agency said an investigation was continuing, but local media reported that the Reno Police Department had released the suspect.
The Secret Service said no weapon was found. "Upon a thorough search of the subject and the surrounding area, no weapon was found," it said. "A thorough investigation is ongoing at this time by the US Secret Service and the Reno Police Department," it added.
The 70-year-old business tycoon returned to the stage just minutes after the incident, saying, "Nobody said it was going to be easy for us, but we will never be stopped. We will never be stopped."
"I want to thank the Secret Service. These guys are fantastic," Trump said before returning to his speech.
Trump later said, "I would like to thank the United States Secret Service and the law enforcement resources in Reno and the state of Nevada for their fast and professional response."
"I also want to thank the many thousands of people present for their unwavering and unbelievable support. Nothing will stop us -- we will make America great again!" Trump said.
CBS News reported that it all happened very quickly, but it appeared their was commotion near the podium.
While no weapon was found, some of those in the crowd were told there was a man with a gun. Others said they saw someone with a dark object, but did not think it was a weapon.
"I heard, 'He has a gun' and several of us went over to the side wall because we were frightened," an eyewitness was quoted as saying by NBC News. The eyewitness said she was impressed with Trump's composure in continuing the speech.
Secret Service agents rushed to shield Trump onstage in March after a man tried to rush the stage during a rally in Dayton, Ohio, but the Republican nominee was not escorted off stage.
And a man was arrested at a rally in Las Vegas in June after he tried to grab a police officer's gun, which he said he planned to use to shoot Trump.