A 21-year-old man from North Carolina was fatally shot early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s Florida resort, authorities said.
Incident at Mar-a-Lago
Austin Tucker Martin was armed with a shotgun and a gas can when he was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy, according to Sheriff Rick Bradshaw. Bradshaw stated that Martin was ordered to drop the items and then “raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” prompting the agents and deputy to fire their weapons.
The incident occurred at 1:30 a.m., while President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House. Investigators believe Martin traveled from North Carolina to Florida and acquired the shotgun along the way.
According to Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, Martin entered the property through the north gate as another vehicle was exiting and was then confronted by agents. The box for the shotgun was found in his vehicle.
Authorities are currently compiling a psychological profile of Martin to determine a motive for his actions. This incident is not isolated; Trump has faced previous threats, including an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. Another man from North Carolina, Ryan Routh, was recently sentenced to life in prison for attempting to shoot Trump at his Florida golf course in September 2024. A gunman with a shotgun was arrested near the U.S. Capitol days prior.
The FBI is dedicating significant resources to the investigation and has requested that neighbors of Mar-a-Lago review their security camera footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Austin Tucker Martin?
Austin Tucker Martin was a 21-year-old man from North Carolina who was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago armed with a shotgun and a gas can.
When did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. On Sunday, February 22, 2026, while President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House.
Was anyone else injured?
No law enforcement officials were harmed during the incident. Austin Tucker Martin was the only fatality.
Given the recent history of threats against prominent political figures, what further security measures might be considered to protect individuals and public spaces?
