Armed man shot and killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says

 

Armed Man Shot and Killed After Entering Secure Perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service Says

Palm Beach, Florida — February 22, 2026

In the early hours of Sunday, February 22, 2026, a man armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel canister was shot and killed by United States Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy after he breached the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Florida resort and private club owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The intruder’s actions triggered a rapid law enforcement response and raised urgent questions about security at one of the nation’s most high-profile properties.

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President Trump, who maintains ties to the property and has often spent weekends there during and after his presidency, was not present at the time of the incident; both he and former First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House in Washington, D.C. when the security breach occurred.

Timeline of the Incident

Before the Breach

The disturbance unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, around 1:30 a.m. local time, when security personnel monitoring the property detected an unauthorized vehicle entering the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago estate, near South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, the individual was observed driving into the inner secure perimeter of the estate. Upon approaching the property, the man was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel canister. Guglielmi noted that a box for the weapon was later found in the vehicle he was driving.

Local law enforcement later confirmed that the man had previously been reported missing by his family just days before the incident, and investigators believe he had traveled south before arriving in Florida.

Confrontation with Law Enforcement

When Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded to the inner perimeter, the man was ordered to drop his possessions. According to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, officers approached the suspect and instructed him to lay down the gas can and shotgun.

Authorities say that the man complied in part by placing the gas can down, but then raised the shotgun in a threatening manner, pointing it as though preparing to fire. At that point, law enforcement officers opened fire to “neutralize the threat.”

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All officers involved in the shooting were reported to be physically unharmed. The man was declared dead at the scene.

Identification of the Suspect

Investigators have identified the intruder as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from Cameron, North Carolina. Although the Secret Service initially did not release his identity publicly, law enforcement sources and the family’s missing person report allowed authorities to confirm who he was later in the day.

Martin’s family expressed shock at the news. Relatives told reporters that he was generally quiet and not known to be violent, and that he showed little interest in firearms or political discussion before the incident.

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Vehicles were reported blocking access to a private road leading to a property linked to Martin’s name on Sunday afternoon, and local law enforcement indicated they were continuing efforts to learn more about his background, motives, and mental state leading up to the breach.

Investigation Underway

Following the shooting, both the FBI and the Secret Service launched a joint investigation into the incident. FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on social media platform X that the bureau was dedicating “all necessary resources” to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review footage from body cameras and nearby residential cameras that might shed light on the events.

The Secret Service and local authorities have also begun compiling a psychological profile of Martin and are trying to determine a motive for the breach, which remains unclear. Authorities indicated that it was too early to say whether Martin acted alone or whether any wider conspiracy or political intent influenced his actions.

Broader Security Context and Past Incidents

Sunday’s incident is the latest in a series of security breaches and violent episodes related to prominent political figures and locations in the United States.

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Assassination Attempts on Trump

Former President Trump has previously survived at least two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign, including one at his golf club in Palm Beach and another at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In the Florida incident, a shooter was spotted and engaged by Secret Service before Trump came into view; in Pennsylvania, a gunman fired multiple shots before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

These earlier incidents contributed to national dialogue about the security risks faced by high-profile political figures, especially during periods of intense political polarization and rising politically-motivated violence.

Wider Patterns of Political Violence

Officials and analysts have noted a broader pattern of violent incidents involving public figures across the political spectrum, including shootings and arson attacks that have targeted lawmakers, political activists, and government buildings — reflecting tensions within American society over issues ranging from policy disagreements to presidential leadership.

The breach at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday adds to these concerns, demonstrating the continuing challenge law enforcement faces in deterring unpredictable and potentially dangerous actions by individuals.

Security Protocols and Response

Secret Service and Local Cooperation

In response to the Mar-a-Lago incident, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the Miami field office highlighted the complexity and rapid response required in such situations. The agents and the sheriff’s deputy who confronted the intruder were wearing body cameras, and those recordings are part of the ongoing investigation.

No law enforcement personnel involved in the shooting have been injured. As is standard in such cases, the officers involved were expected to be placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation continues — a procedural step that allows for independent review of use-of-force incidents.

Calls for Public Assistance

The FBI has asked residents living near Mar-a-Lago to review their own security footage, including doorbell and exterior cameras, for any footage that might capture the intruder’s approach or actions before and during the incident. This public assistance is often crucial in developing a detailed timeline and understanding events from multiple perspectives.

Political Implications

Reactions from Government Officials

In the wake of the incident, reactions from political leaders were swift but varied. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the Secret Service for its decisive action in neutralizing a dangerous situation, while also — in social media posts — linking the event to broader political disputes over federal funding and the partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed concerns about political violence, framing the shooting as symptomatic of a period in which both major political factions have faced threats and attacks.

Public Safety and Security Debate

Sunday’s shootings have reignited debates about public safety, particularly at high-profile sites that draw public attention and political symbolism. Security experts have pointed out that despite robust protective measures, unforeseen breaches remain possible, especially when individuals act without clear motive or predictable patterns.

Some commentators have questioned whether routine patrols and detection systems could be enhanced to better anticipate and intercept threats before they reach critical inner perimeters like those at Mar-a-Lago — especially amid ongoing concerns about domestic political violence and extremist actions.

Profile of Austin Tucker Martin

While detailed biographical information on Martin remains limited, authorities have begun piecing together his movements, background, and potential motivations. Law enforcement sources stated that Martin had acquired the shotgun along his route from North Carolina to Florida, hinting that he may have been planning some form of engagement — though investigators are cautious about assuming political intent without clearer evidence.

Family members described Martin as a quiet young man who worked at a local golf course and sent a portion of his earnings to charity. They expressed disbelief that such an event could have happened, suggesting that something significant must have occurred in the days leading up to the breach to prompt his actions.

At this stage, there is no definitive explanation for why Martin targeted Mar-a-Lago’s secure perimeter, and investigators have emphasized that motive remains a principal focus of their ongoing work.

Looking Ahead: Ongoing Investigation and Security Review

The FBI, Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office have committed to continuing their investigation into the fatal encounter, with law enforcement officials indicating that the review will likely be thorough and may involve federal prosecutors. Evidence collection — including body-cam footage, vehicle searches, and interviews with neighbors — is expected to continue over the coming weeks.

Officials have also stated that they will release updates as appropriate and that any policy changes related to perimeter security or threat detection at protected sites will be considered in light of lessons learned from this incident.

As the nation processes yet another crisis involving political symbolism, violence, and law enforcement response, Sunday’s shooting at Mar-a-Lago will likely remain a focal point in ongoing discussions about security, public safety, and the balance between openness and protection in American civic life.