An armed intruder was shot and killed by Secret Service agents at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate early Sunday morning after attempting to breach the property. The man has been identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 20-something from Cameron, North Carolina, who was reported missing by his family the day before. No one else was injured in the incident, and Trump was not on the property at the time.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near the north gate of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, when Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office responded to an unauthorized breach. Authorities stated that the suspect, carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can, was ordered to drop the items. He complied by dropping the fuel can but raised the shotgun to a "shooting position," prompting agents to fire and neutralize the threat. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement sources identified the intruder as Austin Tucker Martin, who had been reported missing by his family on Saturday. Martin's family had been searching for him, as evidenced by posts on social media accounts reviewed by the New York Post. His own social media showed an interest in drawing golf courses, including those in the Sandhurst region of England and local courses near his hometown of Cameron, North Carolina.
President Trump and his family were not present at Mar-a-Lago during the event, according to the Secret Service. No agents or deputies sustained injuries. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, with Director Kash Patel stating on X: "[The] 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." He added that the bureau would work closely with the Secret Service and other partners.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed the FBI's lead role and said local authorities would assist. As standard procedure, the involved agents have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome. The event unfolded on what appears to be February 22 or 23, 2026, based on related reports.
