Authorities identify man shot after alleged breach at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

A man was shot and killed early Sunday after allegedly breaching the security perimeter at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, the U.S. Secret Service said.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when the suspect made an “unauthorized entry” through the north gate of the complex as another vehicle was exiting. The man was identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed to Fox News.

The suspect was observed carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a can of gasoline. Officers and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) confronted him.

“They confronted a white male who was carrying a can of gas and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop the two pieces of equipment he had with him. At that point, he put down the can of gas and raised the shotgun to the firing position,” Bradshaw told reporters. “At that point, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.”

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An aerial view shows the Mar-a-Lago grounds and North Gate in Palm Beach, Florida, following reports of a shooting, February 22, 2026. (Fox News)

Bradshaw said the suspect did not exchange any words with law enforcement officers who asked the man to “drop the items.”

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

No members of the Secret Service or PBSO were injured, and no Secret Service protégés were present at the scene at the time of the incident, officials said.

Trump was at the White House at the time of the breach, although he frequently spends his weekends at Mar-a-Lago, according to the Associated Press.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the man allegedly purchased the shotgun while traveling south, and authorities later discovered the gun box inside his vehicle, the Associated Press reported.

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that a relative reported Martin missing around 1:38 a.m. Sunday.

He was entered into a national missing persons database before federal authorities informed local authorities that they were conducting an active investigation in Florida regarding Martin.

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A moving truck is parked in front of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on January 18, 2021. (Terry Renna/AP)

The sheriff’s office said it had no history with the 21-year-old and has since turned over the missing person’s information to federal authorities. She is not involved in the Florida investigation.

The incident, including the suspect’s background, actions and potential motive, as well as the circumstances surrounding the use of force, remains under investigation by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said they were working to establish a psychological profile as part of the investigation, according to the Associated Press.

FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles said the bureau was assisting in the investigation because the shooting occurred in an area under Secret Service protection.

He said the FBI’s Evidence Response Team was processing the scene and collecting evidence, and urged residents who live nearby to review their outdoor cameras to watch footage from Saturday night into Saturday morning.

“If you see anything that seems suspicious or out of place, please contact us,” he told reporters.

The man who was shot and killed after allegedly breaching the security perimeter at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, was observed carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a can of gasoline. (@PBCountySheriff via X)

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FBI Director Kash Patel said in an article on [as] our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on

The breach comes after Trump faced two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign.