A 21-year-old man was shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
The Secret Service confirmed the fatal shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time at the West Palm Beach property.
Officials say the suspect was armed with a shotgun and carrying a gas can when agents confronted him.
What Happened at Mar-a-Lago
According to the US Secret Service, the suspect drove through the resort’s north gate as another vehicle exited. Security personnel quickly detected the unauthorized entry.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said a deputy and two Secret Service agents approached the individual inside the secure perimeter.
The man lowered a gas can when ordered to drop the items but raised the shotgun into what authorities described as a shooting position. Officers then fired and neutralized the threat.
The official Secret Service statement is available at secretservice.gov.
Identity of the Suspect
Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin, 21. The Secret Service initially withheld his name pending notification of next of kin.
Martin was reportedly from Cameron, North Carolina. Officials said he had been reported missing by his family prior to the incident.
Sheriff Bradshaw stated that, at this time, the suspect was not previously known to local law enforcement.
Trump Not at Property
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington at the time of the incident. Officials emphasized that the president was not in Florida during the breach.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said law enforcement acted quickly to protect the property and ensure safety.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she coordinated with federal agencies following the shooting. The Department of Justice oversees federal investigations and provides updates at justice.gov.
Ongoing FBI Investigation
The FBI’s Miami field office is leading the investigation. Director Kash Patel said the bureau is dedicating all necessary resources to determine the suspect’s motive.
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and asking residents in the area to share any video that may assist investigators.
Officials have not disclosed how many shots were fired.
Community Reaction
A relative of Martin described him as quiet and said he came from a family of strong Trump supporters. The cousin said the news was shocking and hard to believe.
Investigators are now working to build a psychological profile and trace the suspect’s movements before he arrived in Florida.
The incident marks another major security event at Mar-a-Lago, a property that remains under constant federal protection due to its connection to the president.
Authorities say more details will be released as the investigation continues.