WASHINGTON — An armed man was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida, early Sunday morning, according to a Secret Service spokesman.
Mar-a-Lago Security Breach Results in Fatality
The man, identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina, had a gas can and a shotgun, authorities said. He was shot after confronting agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy at the property’s north gate.
Although Trump was at the White House at the time of the breach around 1:30 a.m., he has faced threats to his life before, including two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign.
Investigators believe Martin purchased the shotgun while driving south, and a box for the weapon was found in his vehicle. His family had recently reported him missing, according to the FBI.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Martin was ordered to drop the gas can and shotgun. He then put down the gas can and raised the shotgun to a shooting position, prompting the two agents and the deputy to fire their weapons.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina reported receiving a missing person report for Martin early Sunday morning.
Investigators are working to develop a psychological profile of Martin and have stated he was not previously known to law enforcement. The FBI has asked residents near Mar-a-Lago to check security cameras for relevant footage.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated the bureau is “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Family Describes Martin as Quiet and Non-Violent
Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, described him as quiet, afraid of guns, and from a family of Trump supporters. Fields said Martin worked at a local golf course and donated his earnings to charity.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said, adding that his cousin rarely discussed politics.
Previous Threats Against Trump
Sunday’s incident occurred a few miles from Trump’s West Palm Beach club, where a man attempted to assassinate him while he played golf during the 2024 campaign. Ryan Routh was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for that attempt.
Trump also survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman killed one attendee before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.
White House Links Security to Government Shutdown
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Secret Service acted quickly to neutralize the armed man. She then used the incident to criticize Democratic lawmakers for the partial government shutdown affecting the Homeland Security Department, which began Feb. 14.
The Secret Service is among the agencies affected by the shutdown, with employees continuing to work without pay.
The White House referred all questions to the Secret Service and FBI. Trump and his wife posted unrelated statements on social media following the incident.
Recent Acts of Politically Motivated Violence
The incident at Mar-a-Lago is one of several recent acts of politically motivated violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the assassination of a Democratic state House leader and her husband in Minnesota, and an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence.
Just five days ago, a man armed with a shotgun was arrested while running toward the U.S. Capitol. Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address there on Tuesday night.
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