A man was shot and killed by security personnel after breaching the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Florida estate of former U.S. President Donald Trump, on . The incident occurred around 1:30 AM Eastern Time, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
The suspect, identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of Cameron, North Carolina, was carrying what authorities described as a shotgun and a fuel can when he was confronted by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy. According to officials, Martin was ordered to drop the weapons, and after lowering the fuel can, he raised the shotgun into a shooting position, prompting the agents and deputy to open fire.
President Trump was not present at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the incident, having been in Washington D.C., the Secret Service confirmed. The circumstances surrounding the breach and the suspect’s motives remain under investigation.
Martin’s family had reported him missing earlier on , just hours before the shooting. His mother posted a missing person flyer on Facebook at 7:00 AM, stating she had last heard from him at 7:51 PM on . The Moore County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina received a missing person report at 1:38 AM on , shortly after the incident at Mar-a-Lago. The information was immediately entered into a national database, and federal authorities in Florida subsequently contacted the sheriff’s office regarding the investigation.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Office stated they had no prior history involving Martin before receiving the missing person report. Authorities are currently investigating whether Martin legally purchased the firearm along his route from North Carolina to Florida.
The Secret Service stated that agents observed Martin “unlawfully entering the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago.” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explained at a news conference that the only verbal commands given to Martin were to “drop the items,” referring to the gas can and the shotgun. Bradshaw stated that after complying with the request to drop the gas can, Martin then raised the shotgun, leading to the use of force by the agents and deputy.
The incident raises questions about security protocols at Mar-a-Lago, a frequent destination for the former president and a high-profile target. While the Secret Service maintains a significant security presence at the estate, the breach highlights the challenges of protecting such a large and accessible property.
This is not the first time Mar-a-Lago has been the target of security concerns. Previous threats against President Trump have prompted increased security measures, and the estate has been the subject of scrutiny regarding its vulnerability to potential attacks.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released further details regarding Martin’s background or potential motivations. The FBI is involved in the investigation, and officials are working to determine the full scope of the incident and any potential connections to broader security threats.
The shooting occurred near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property. Images from the scene showed a Palm Beach County Sheriff vehicle blocking traffic in the area. A vehicle was also observed blocking access to a property in Cameron, North Carolina, believed to be associated with Martin.
The incident is likely to fuel further debate about security measures surrounding high-profile individuals and the challenges of protecting them in an increasingly complex threat landscape. The investigation will likely focus on identifying any vulnerabilities in the security perimeter at Mar-a-Lago and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Secret Service has not released the names of the agents and deputy involved in the shooting, and further details regarding the investigation are expected to be released as they become available. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation.
