US Secret Service Killed Armed Man Attempting To Breach Mar-a-Lago
U.S. Secret Service agents shot and killed a man attempting to force his way into President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida early Sunday morning.
The two agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office confronted the individual, who was in his early 20s, armed with a shotgun, and carrying a gas can, according to a press conference held by federal and local law enforcement officials following a statement from the U.S. Secret Service.
“An armed man was shot & killed by U.S. Secret Service agents & @PBCountySheriff after unlawfully entering the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago early this morning. A press briefing with additional details will be held at 9:00 a.m with @FBI and Palm Beach County,” Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Gugliemi wrote.
WATCH:
“At 1:30 this morning the security detail detected an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago. A deputy and two Secret Service agents on the detail went to that area to investigate,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters at the Sunday morning press conference. “They confronted a white male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him and, at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position, and at that point in time the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.”
The suspect was later identified as Austin Tucker Martin, Fox Business host Maria Baritromo reported on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“The Moore County Sheriff’s Office confirms that on February 22, 2026, at approximately 1:38 a.m., a relative of 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin approached a deputy at a local business and reported him missing,” the Moore County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office stated in a Sunday afternoon Facebook post. “He was subsequently entered into a national missing person database.”
“Following that report, federal authorities informed the Sheriff’s Office that they are conducting an active investigation in Florida involving Martin,” the statement continues. “At their request, the missing person case information has been turned over to federal investigators.”
Trump was not at the Florida residence at the time. He and first lady Melania Trump hosted the nation’s governors at the White House for a dinner event Saturday night.
“In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X. “Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
Trump survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign. A Sept. 15, 2024 assassination attempt by Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was thwarted by Secret Service agents at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
During a July 13, 2024 campaign rally in Butler County, Penn., Trump was wounded when a bullet fired by Thomas Crooks grazed his ear.
