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An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after driving into the secure area of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s private resort in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the U.S. Secret Service. The incident happened at about 1:30 a.m. while Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the White House.
Authorities said the man entered through the north gate of the property as another vehicle was leaving. He was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. Two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy quickly confronted him. Law enforcement officers ordered him to drop the items he was holding. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the man put down the gas can but then raised the shotgun into a shooting position. The officers responded by firing their weapons, killing him at the scene.
The FBI later identified the man as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina. Officials said his family had reported him missing earlier that same morning. Investigators believe Martin bought the shotgun while traveling south. A box for the weapon was later found inside his vehicle.
At this time, authorities have not announced a motive. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are working to piece together what led to the incident. Officials are also looking into Martin’s background and mental state. Sheriff Bradshaw said there was no immediate indication that Martin was previously known to law enforcement.
The FBI has asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to review any security camera footage that might help investigators understand Martin’s movements before the incident. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would dedicate all necessary resources to fully investigate the case.
In Martin’s hometown of Cameron, North Carolina, relatives expressed shock and disbelief. Vehicles were seen blocking the entrance to a property listed as his address. His cousin, Braeden Fields, described Martin as quiet and gentle. He said Martin worked at a local golf course and regularly donated part of his paycheck to charity. Fields also said Martin was afraid of guns and came from a family that strongly supported Trump.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant,” Fields said, adding that his cousin rarely spoke about politics. The family said they are struggling to understand what happened.
This latest security breach comes after Trump faced serious threats during the 2024 presidential campaign. One attempt happened at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where a man armed with a rifle was spotted by a Secret Service agent before Trump came into view. The agent opened fire, and the suspect was later arrested, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Trump also survived another attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired multiple shots before being killed by a Secret Service sniper. One rally attendee was killed in that attack.
Following Sunday’s incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the Secret Service for acting quickly. In a post on social media, she said officers moved decisively to stop an armed intruder. She also criticized Democratic lawmakers over the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. The shutdown began after disagreements in Congress over immigration policy. Although most Secret Service agents are still working, many are currently not receiving pay.
Both Trump and his wife shared posts on social media later that day, but their messages did not directly address the shooting. The White House directed further questions to the Secret Service and the FBI.
The shooting at Mar-a-Lago adds to growing concerns about political violence in the United States. In recent months, several high-profile violent incidents have targeted political figures across the country. Authorities continue to investigate whether Sunday’s event was politically motivated.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials say their main focus remains protecting public safety and understanding exactly what led to the deadly confrontation outside Trump’s Florida residence.