A 21-year-old man was fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy early Sunday morning after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s Florida residence. The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. Local time, according to law enforcement officials.
The deceased has been identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a resident of Cameron, North Carolina. Martin’s family had reported him missing just days prior to the incident, raising immediate questions about his state of mind and motivations.
President Trump was not present at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the shooting, having hosted the annual Governors Dinner at the White House on Saturday night. First Lady Melania Trump was also in Washington, D.C.
Details released by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office indicate that law enforcement officers observed Martin carrying both a shotgun and a gasoline can near the north gate of the property. When approached by a deputy and two Secret Service agents, Martin reportedly lowered the gasoline can but then raised the shotgun into a shooting position. Agents and the deputy subsequently opened fire, resulting in his death at the scene.
“He put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Sheriff Ric L. Bradshaw stated during a news conference Sunday morning. “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.” No law enforcement personnel were injured during the confrontation.
The FBI has taken the lead in investigating the incident, with an Evidence Response Team currently processing the scene and collecting evidence. Authorities are appealing to residents in the area to review exterior security camera footage for any potentially relevant information and to contact the FBI or the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office with any leads.
The officers involved in the shooting were equipped with body cameras, and the footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation. The Secret Service has stated that the agents involved will be placed on administrative leave, consistent with agency policy.
Martin’s background reveals a connection to a small, Republican-leaning town in central North Carolina. His cousin, Braeden Fields, described him as a quiet individual who was reportedly unfamiliar with firearms. “I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,” Fields told the Associated Press. “He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun.”
Martin worked at a local golf course and also operated a small artwork company called Fresh Sky Illustrations, which focused on creating illustrations of golf course scenes. The company’s website described its mission as “bringing to life the hopeful feeling of being on a golf course.”
The incident at Mar-a-Lago occurs against a backdrop of increasing political violence, a trend that has impacted figures across the political spectrum. In July 2024, President Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. More recently, in September 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a debate at Utah Valley University. Democrats have also been targeted, including the shooting of Minnesota state House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband in June 2025, and an arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in April 2024. The January 6th, 2021 attack on the Capitol remains a stark reminder of the potential for political extremism to escalate into violence.
Following the shooting, President Trump did not immediately issue a public statement. He later posted on social media about the U.S. Men’s hockey team’s victory at the Winter Olympics. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement praising the Secret Service for its swift response, stating that agents “acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home.”
FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the agency’s commitment to a thorough investigation, stating that all necessary resources are being dedicated to the case and that close collaboration with the Secret Service and other partners will continue.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine Martin’s motives and any potential connections to extremist groups or individuals. The incident raises serious questions about security protocols at Mar-a-Lago and the broader challenges of protecting political figures in an increasingly polarized environment.
