FOLLOW US

U.S. Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies fatally shot a 21-year-old North Carolina man early Sunday morning after he breached a secure perimeter at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, carrying a shotgun and a fuel can, law enforcement officials confirmed.

The intruder, identified as Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina, was reported missing in recent days, according to a source familiar with the investigation. President Trump was not at the property—he was in Washington at the time—and no law enforcement officers were injured.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. EST when Martin was spotted at the resort's north gate. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach deputy confronted him, ordering him to drop the shotgun and fuel can. Martin set down the gas can but raised the shotgun to a shooting position, prompting officers to open fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The White House described the response as swift and decisive. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated: "The 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."

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the bureau has assumed lead investigative role, stating on social media that the agency is "dedicating all necessary resources" to determine motive and collect evidence. No motive has been publicly disclosed.

The breach occurs amid heightened concerns over political violence in the U.S. In 2024, a gunman grazed Trump's ear during a Pennsylvania campaign rally, and another man—later convicted of attempted assassination—was arrested after being spotted hiding in bushes at a Florida golf course with a semi-automatic rifle while Trump was playing.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he spoke with Trump following the incident and thanked the Secret Service for protecting the president and his family.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw detailed the confrontation at a Sunday morning press conference, emphasizing officers followed protocol when the suspect raised the firearm.

The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities at high-profile presidential properties and raises questions about perimeter security, intruder screening, and the threshold for lethal force in such breaches.