Austin Tucker Martin who was armed with a shotgun and petrol canister was shot dead by Secret Service agents after breaching security at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida
An armed man who breached security at US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida was shot dead by Secret Service agents, authorities said. The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina.
What happened at Mar-a-Lago?
The incident unfolded around 1:30 am local time when Martin drove through the north gate of the Palm Beach property as another vehicle was exiting. He was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy. Investigators said Martin was carrying a shotgun and a petrol canister when he entered the premises.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, officers ordered Martin to drop his weapon. While he put down the fuel canister, he raised the shotgun into a firing position, prompting agents and deputies to open fire. Authorities said the use of force was necessary to neutralise what they described as an immediate threat.
Officials later revealed that Martin had been reported missing by his family several days earlier. Investigators believe he travelled from North Carolina to Florida and obtained the firearm during the journey. A gun case was later recovered from his vehicle.
Federal and local agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, have launched a joint investigation to determine the motive behind the breach. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was deploying “all necessary resources” and coordinating with partner agencies to establish the suspect’s background and movements.
Authorities have also asked nearby residents to review security footage for any relevant evidence from the early morning hours.
Senior officials confirmed that President Trump was briefed on the incident. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had spoken with Trump and was coordinating closely with federal authorities. The White House also praised the Secret Service response, saying agents acted swiftly and decisively to stop the armed suspect.
Investigators said the motive remains unclear, and the case is part of a broader pattern of recent security threats linked to the president and his properties.
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