Secret Service Kills Mar-a-Lago Intruder Armed with a Shotgun, Carrying Fuel Can [WATCH]

A man in his early 20s was shot and killed early Sunday after allegedly breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when the suspect made what the Secret Service described as an “unauthorized entry” at the property.

The individual was observed near the north gate carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.

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Agents assigned to the protective detail, along with a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, responded and confronted the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw identified the suspect as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina during remarks to reporters.

Bradshaw said the encounter began after an individual made his way onto the “inner perimeter” of Mar-a-Lago.

“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 – at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw told reporters.

“At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.”

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

No Secret Service agents or Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office personnel were injured during the encounter.

Officials also confirmed that no Secret Service protectees were present at the location at the time of the incident. President Trump was not in Florida when the shooting occurred.

The FBI, the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the shooting.

Authorities said the investigation will include a review of the suspect’s background, actions and potential motive, as well as an examination of the use of force.

FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles said the bureau is assisting because the shooting took place in an area under Secret Service protection.

He told reporters that the FBI’s evidence response team is processing the scene and collecting evidence.

Skiles also asked residents in the surrounding area to review their exterior security cameras for footage from Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

“If you see anything that looks suspicious or out of place, please contact us,” Skiles said.

FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the investigation in a post on X, stating that the bureau “is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident,” and “will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able.”

FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago – where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our…

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 22, 2026

Mar-a-Lago, located in Palm Beach, operates under heightened security measures due to its status as a residence and property associated with the current President of the United States.

The estate’s protective perimeter includes multiple layers of security overseen by the Secret Service in coordination with local law enforcement.

Authorities have not released additional details about the suspect’s movements before the incident or how he gained access to the property’s inner perimeter.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have indicated that more information will be released as it becomes available.

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