Palm Beach, Florida – A man was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy early Sunday morning after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. Local time.
According to the Secret Service, President Trump was at the White House at the time of the shooting, and First Lady Melania Trump was also with him.
The suspect, described as a white male in his early 20s, was initially observed near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. Agents and the deputy confronted the man and ordered him to drop the items. He complied with the request to drop the fuel can, but then raised the shotgun into a firing position, prompting the officers to open fire, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw.
“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said during a press conference. “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.” The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. The Secret Service confirmed that the incident, including the individual’s background, actions, and the use of force, is under investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators have learned that the suspect, originally from North Carolina, had been reported missing by his family a few days prior. He reportedly traveled south and acquired a shotgun along the way. The box for the weapon was recovered from his vehicle. Authorities are currently working to establish a psychological profile and determine a motive for the attempted intrusion.
The incident unfolded as the suspect drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago while another vehicle was exiting the property. The FBI has requested that residents in the vicinity of Mar-a-Lago review any security camera footage they may have that could assist in the investigation.
This is not the first time President Trump has faced security threats. In July 2024, an individual attempted to harm him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In September 2024, a man armed with a rifle was apprehended near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president was playing golf. That individual was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.
The Secret Service stated that the agents involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, a standard procedure in such cases.
