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Police Believe Man who Opened Fire at Trump Resort Planned to Ambush Responders

Investigators late Friday were still trying to unravel the motivations of Oddi, a 42-year-old fitness junkie and businessman who appeared to become unhinged while attacking the Trump National Doral Miami resort.

May 18, 2018
Police Believe Man who Opened Fire at Trump Resort Planned to Ambush Responders

Police say Jonathan Oddi got into a firefight and chase with officers while ranting about Donald Trump, Barack Obama — and bizarrely, rap mogul P. Diddy. (Photo: Twitter)


Less than a year ago, South Africa native Jonathan Oddi proudly posed behind a backdrop of an American flag, touting his new citizenship. "God bless the USA finally an American!" he wrote on Instagram.

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On Friday morning, police say he unfurled the American flag inside the South Florida hotel owned by the nation's president, then got into a firefight and chase with officers while ranting about Donald Trump, Barack Obama — and bizarrely, rap mogul P. Diddy.

Investigators late Friday were still trying to unravel the motivations of Oddi, a 42-year-old fitness junkie and businessman who appeared to become unhinged while attacking the Trump National Doral Miami resort.

Oddi suffered police gunshots to the legs, and faces charges of attempted murder. Agents raided his nearby apartment to recover phones, electronics and other evidence that might reveal what led to the bizarre incident, the Miami Herald reports.

Miami-Dade Police Department director Juan Perez said it appears Oddi was trying to lure police officers into an ambush or an attack.

"If not for the heroic efforts of the police officers that responded today, this individual would've caused a lot of harm," Perez told WTSP .


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