In a tense early-morning confrontation in Florida, Security forces fatally shot a man carrying a weapon who attempted to enter the grounds of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, according to federal and local officials.
The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. ET near the north gate of the private Palm Beach estate owned by Donald Trump. Authorities said the individual breached the secured perimeter while armed with a shotgun and a gas canister, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
At the time of the incident, Trump was at the White House. Though he maintains a residence at the Mar-a-Lago property, he was not present during the attempted intrusion.
Confrontation at the Secure Perimeter
Officials from the United States Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded after the man entered restricted grounds near the club’s northern entrance.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw told reporters that a deputy and two Secret Service agents approached the suspect to assess the situation.
“They confronted a white male who was carrying a gas can and a shotgun,” Bradshaw explained during a press briefing. The man was ordered to drop the items. While he complied by putting down the gas canister, authorities said he then raised the shotgun into what was described as a firing position.
At that moment, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents opened fire. Law enforcement officials said the suspect was “neutralized” at the scene.
Suspect Identified, Investigation Underway
The FBI later identified the deceased as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina. The bureau confirmed it has launched an investigation into the shooting to determine the full sequence of events and review the use of force.
As is standard in officer-involved shootings, authorities are examining body camera footage, forensic evidence, and witness accounts.
White House Response and Political Fallout
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement on social media praising law enforcement’s rapid response. She described the individual as armed and dangerous, commending the Secret Service for acting decisively.
Leavitt also criticized congressional Democrats over the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agency that oversees the Secret Service. She called the shutdown “reckless,” arguing that it hampers critical security operations.
The Department of Homeland Security has faced funding challenges for more than a week amid political disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. Democratic lawmakers have pushed for reforms following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, linking their demands to broader oversight of DHS operations.
Heightened Security After Previous Threats
The incident at Mar-a-Lago comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding the former president.
In July 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler. A gunman opened fire from a rooftop overlooking the event before being shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper. The attacker was later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Just two months later, another man, Ryan Routh, was arrested after allegedly lying in wait with a rifle near a golf course where Trump was playing. A Secret Service agent fired at Routh during the encounter. He was subsequently convicted of attempting to assassinate Trump and recently received a life prison sentence.
Ongoing Security Concerns
Sunday’s shooting underscores the continuing security risks faced by high-profile political figures and the complex challenges confronting protective agencies.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attempted breach at Mar-a-Lago. The FBI’s investigation remains active, and officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.
For now, the episode stands as another reminder of the tense security environment surrounding one of the nation’s most closely guarded public figures.
