A man armed with a shotgun and a gas can was fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to the Secret Service.
Authorities identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina. Martin had been reported missing by his family on Saturday, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a deputy, along with two Secret Service agents, confronted Martin at the north gate of the property after he was detected within the security zone.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter at a news conference, stating that Martin was ordered to drop the shotgun and gas can he was carrying. “He put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.” No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
President Trump was not present at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the shooting, having spent Saturday evening at the White House Governors Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Investigators recovered the shotgun and gas can, displaying images of the items at a press conference. Authorities are currently investigating Martin’s motives and working to develop a psychological profile. Bradshaw stated that, as of Sunday morning, Martin was not known to local law enforcement.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation and has requested that residents in the vicinity of Mar-a-Lago review any surveillance footage they may have captured. FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the bureau would dedicate all necessary resources to the inquiry.
At Martin’s home in Cameron, North Carolina, vehicles blocked access to the property on Sunday afternoon. A cousin of the deceased, Braeden Fields, expressed disbelief over the incident, describing Martin as a quiet individual and stating that the family are “avid Trump supporters.” Fields told the Associated Press that Martin worked at a local golf course and donated his earnings to charity.
According to social media posts, Martin frequently sketched golf courses in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, including the renowned Pinehurst course. His Instagram account features numerous watercolor and black-and-white sketches, primarily depicting the Quail Ridge Golf Course, located approximately 15 to 20 miles from his home in Cameron.
Investigators believe Martin traveled from North Carolina to Florida, acquiring the shotgun along the way. Packaging for the weapon was found in his vehicle. Authorities stated that Martin exploited a brief opening at the north gate as another vehicle was exiting the property.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement on X, praising the Secret Service’s swift action in neutralizing a “deranged” individual. She also criticized Democratic lawmakers for the expiration of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, stating it was “shameful and reckless” that they had allowed the department to be “hamstrung.”