Sean Steiner, a 36-year-old from Glendale, was located by officers running through traffic on Palos Verdes Drive South, which runs directly past the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. ' and 'let's put a smile on that face,' and had an orange tip resembling a toy firearm. The weapon was loaded, with a round in the chamber and a full magazine, and deputies also recovered two loaded handguns, high-capacity magazines, and a ballistic vest capable of stopping bullet rounds.
According to the sheriff's department, Steiner had been seen hiking through nearby trails wearing rifle-rated body armor, a duffel bag, and gloves, and was spotted with a rifle and a step stool. Steiner allegedly admitted to firing one of the pistols in the area to 'get some anger out,' and has been booked on multiple felony firearm charges. This incident follows previous security concerns at Trump golf properties.
Let that sink in. An armed individual, firing a weapon, walking through traffic and trails... in a populated area.
In March, the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles hosted a peaceful No Kings protest with demonstrators holding signs and chanting anti-Trump slogans. In an unrelated incident in September 2024, a man was arrested after attempting to assassinate the now-president at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Federal prosecutors said Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted poking an AK-47-style rifle through a sniper's hide concealed near the golf course's fence line.
S. Secret Service Special Agent at the time, saw the rifle while patrolling just one hole ahead of Trump and opened fire, causing Routh to flee. Routh was eventually arrested, found guilty of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault of a federal law enforcement officer, and multiple firearms offenses, and in February 2026, prosecutors said he was sentenced to life in a federal prison with an additional 84 months added.
Because someone spoke up, deputies were able to safely detain him before anyone was hurt.