Authorities have identified the intruder shot at Mar-a-Lago as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina.
Security response
His family had reported him missing several days before the incident, and investigators say a shotgun box was later found in his vehicle.
The breach happened around 1:30 a.m. ET on Sunday when Martin drove into the secure perimeter near the north gate as another vehicle was exiting.
He was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a gasoline canister.
Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the unauthorized entry, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
The suspect was confronted and ordered to drop the items, and he placed the fuel can on the ground before raising the shotgun into a shooting position.
Two Secret Service agents and the deputy fired their weapons, and Martin was killed at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.
Former Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino said security at Mar-a-Lago had been strengthened in recent months to respond to credible threats.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were not at Mar-a-Lago during the incident and were at the White House in Washington, D.C.
No other protected individuals were on the property at the time.
The U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the event.
Authorities are compiling a psychological profile of the suspect while reviewing any potential motive.
Officials say there is no immediate indication Martin was previously known to law enforcement.
The FBI has asked nearby residents to review security camera footage that might assist the inquiry.
This incident follows previous security threats involving President Trump during the 2024 campaign, including an attack in Butler, Pennsylvania where he was wounded and another near his Florida golf course that resulted in an arrest and a life sentence.
Mar-a-Lago has seen several attempted intrusions over the years, though past incidents did not show clear planning or intent to harm.
No motive has been released as of this report.
