An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after entering the secure perimeter of US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, the US Secret Service confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time (06:30 GMT), while President Trump was in Washington, DC.
Suspect Identified
Authorities identified the suspect as 21-year-old Austin T. Martin of Cameron, North Carolina. Law enforcement officials said Martin had been reported missing by his family earlier that morning. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office stated it had no prior record involving him.
Investigators are examining whether the shotgun he was carrying was purchased during his drive from North Carolina to Florida.
Confrontation at the North Gate
According to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, agents observed the suspect unlawfully entering the secure perimeter near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property while carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop the items.
“The only words that we said to him were ‘drop the items,’” Bradshaw told reporters.
Officials said the man put down the fuel can but then raised the shotgun into what authorities described as a shooting position. At that point, Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy opened fire, neutralising the threat.
As reported by BBC News and CBS News, no law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Authorities confirmed officers were wearing body cameras. It remains unclear whether the shotgun was loaded. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Heightened Security Measures
Security at Mar-a-Lago is layered and extensive. The outer perimeter is secured by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, while the inner cordon is maintained by the US Secret Service. Visitors undergo strict screening procedures, including vehicle inspections, canine sweeps, and metal detection checks.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran travelled to Florida following the incident to conduct an after-action review.
Previous Assassination Attempts
President Trump has faced multiple assassination attempts in recent years.
In July 2024, he was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman, identified as Matthew Crooks, was killed at the scene. One bystander died, and two others were injured.
Months later, Ryan Routh was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison after attempting to assassinate Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach.
The latest breach has renewed concerns over political violence in the United States as investigations continue.
