A 21-year-old North Carolina man was shot and killed early Feb. 22 after allegedly breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate while carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can, according to a report from Fox News citing local and federal officials.
The U.S. Secret Service said the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when the man made an “unauthorized entry” through the north gate of the Palm Beach resort as another vehicle was exiting.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw identified the man to Fox News as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina.
“They confronted a white male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him – at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw told reporters, according to the report. “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.”
Bradshaw said the suspect did not exchange any words with officers who instructed him to drop the items. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No Secret Service personnel or deputies were injured, and no Secret Service protectees were present at the property at the time of the breach, officials said, according to Fox’s report. Trump was at the White House at the time.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina said in a press release that a relative reported Martin missing around 1:38 a.m. Sunday. He was entered into a national missing person database before federal authorities notified local officials that they were conducting an investigation in Florida related to him, Fox News reported.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the shooting, including the suspect’s background, actions and possible motive, as well as the circumstances surrounding the use of force, according to Fox News. FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles said the bureau’s evidence response team is processing the scene and collecting evidence.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that the agency is “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation and will continue working with the Secret Service and state and federal partners.
FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 22, 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that the Secret Service “acted quickly and decisively” in response to the intrusion.