Washington, 23 Feb: An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago, prompting a joint investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities said the confrontation occurred around 1:30 a.m. (06:30 GMT). Trump was in Washington, DC, at the time, and no protectees were present at the Florida property. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Officials identified the suspect as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina. According to local authorities in Moore County, a family member had reported him missing earlier that morning. Investigators are examining whether Martin purchased the shotgun during his drive south; a box for the weapon was later found in his vehicle. The sheriff’s office in North Carolina said it had no prior record involving Martin.
Confrontation at the North Gate
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said agents observed the man near the property’s north gate carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. He was ordered to drop the items.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters the man set down the fuel can but then raised the shotgun “to a shooting position.” Agents and a sheriff’s deputy opened fire to “neutralise the threat,” Bradshaw said, adding that investigators have not yet determined whether the weapon was loaded.
Body-worn cameras were in use during the encounter, and the footage will be reviewed as part of the federal inquiry.
Federal Review and Security Measures
The FBI is assisting in the investigation and has asked nearby residents to check security cameras for relevant footage. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is “dedicating all necessary resources” to determine motive and reconstruct the suspect’s movements from North Carolina to Florida.
Mar-a-Lago is protected by layered security, with an outer perimeter maintained by Palm Beach County deputies and an inner cordon overseen by the Secret Service. Visitors and vehicles are routinely screened.
Family Reaction
Relatives and friends expressed disbelief at the events. A cousin described Martin as quiet and charitable, saying he “wouldn’t even hurt an ant.” A friend characterized him as “one of the kinder souls” he had known. Authorities have not established a motive.
Broader Context
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of presidential security. Trump has faced previous assassination plots, including one involving Ryan Routh at a West Palm Beach golf course, in which a Secret Service agent intervened before Trump came into view. Routh was later sentenced to life in prison. Trump also survived a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one attendee was killed.
Investigators are now focused on how the suspect accessed the secured area, whether the firearm was operable, and what led to the pre-dawn intrusion. Further updates are expected as federal authorities complete their review.
