A 21-year-old man, identified as Austin T. Martin of North Carolina, was shot and killed early Sunday morning after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The incident occurred at approximately local time, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
Authorities stated that Martin was armed with a shotgun and a fuel canister when he breached security near the north gate of the property. He was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. After being ordered to drop the weapons, Martin reportedly raised the shotgun, prompting the officers to open fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Secret Service confirmed that President Trump was not present at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the incident, having spent the weekend at the White House. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the confrontation.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the FBI in investigating the circumstances surrounding the breach and Martin’s motives. Officials are currently working to determine if Martin purchased the shotgun while traveling from North Carolina. His family reported him missing on Saturday, raising concerns about his state of mind prior to the incident.
According to a statement released by Martin’s family on Facebook, he was last heard from on Saturday evening, shortly before , after leaving his home in Cameron, North Carolina, around . His aunt described the incident as completely out of character, expressing shock and disbelief.
Martin’s online presence reveals a passion for drawing, particularly landscapes, architecture and golf courses. His Instagram account featured numerous pen illustrations of these subjects, accompanied by captions expressing gratitude for his artistic abilities. He also shared religious sentiments in some of his posts.
The incident at Mar-a-Lago marks at least the third reported attempt to breach security surrounding President Trump in recent years. In 2024, a man attempted to assassinate him while he was playing golf, and another individual was arrested after approaching the U.S. Capitol with a shotgun just five days prior to this latest incident. These events raise questions about the escalating security challenges facing the former president and the measures being taken to protect him.
The Secret Service stated that a box for the shotgun was found inside Martin’s vehicle, a 2013 silver Volkswagen Tiguan. Authorities are tracing the weapon’s origins and investigating whether it was legally obtained.
The FBI has requested that residents in the area review any home security footage that might provide additional information related to the investigation. The motive behind Martin’s actions remains unclear, and law enforcement officials have stated that he was not previously known to them.
The incident occurred in a region familiar with heightened security measures due to Mar-a-Lago’s status as a frequent residence for President Trump. The resort’s location in Palm Beach, a popular tourist destination, adds another layer of complexity to security protocols.
U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement on X, describing Martin as a “crazy person” and criticizing Democrats for what she characterized as a failure to adequately fund law enforcement agencies. This statement reflects the politically charged atmosphere surrounding security concerns related to the former president.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together a complete picture of Martin’s background, motivations, and the events leading up to the shooting. The incident is likely to prompt a review of security procedures at Mar-a-Lago and other high-profile locations.
