PALM BEACH, Fla. (Diya TV) — U.S. Secret Service agents and local law enforcement officers shot and killed a 21-year-old man early Sunday after he tried to breach the secure perimeter at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, officials said. Authorities identified the man as Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina. He carried a shotgun and a fuel can when officers confronted him at the resort’s north gate around 1:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Secret Service. Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident and was not at the Florida property.
The shooting happened outside Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach. The property remains under tight security due to ongoing threats and past assassination attempts. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said two Secret Service agents and one deputy approached Martin after spotting him near the secure entrance. Officers ordered him to drop the shotgun and the fuel can.
Martin put down the fuel can but raised the shotgun into what officials described as a shooting position. Officers responded immediately and opened fire. Martin died at the scene. No officers suffered injuries. In a statement, the United States Secret Service said agents “acted quickly and decisively” to stop the threat. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the suspect intruded onto Trump’s property while armed and called him a “dangerous individual.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation. Agents continue to collect evidence and review surveillance footage from the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that the bureau will dedicate all necessary resources to determine what led to the incident.
Law enforcement officials have not released details about Martin’s motive. A source familiar with the investigation said authorities recently reported Martin missing in North Carolina. Officials have not confirmed whether Martin had any known connection to Trump or to extremist groups. Investigators plan to examine his background, digital footprint, and recent movements.
The incident comes during a period of rising political violence in the United States. Trump has faced multiple threats in recent years. In 2024, a gunman’s bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Later that year, law enforcement arrested a man who hid in bushes near a Florida golf course with a semi-automatic rifle while Trump played on the course. A court later sentenced that man to life in prison for attempted assassination.
Political leaders from both parties have expressed concern about growing threats against public officials. Security agencies have increased protective measures at high-profile events and residences. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he spoke with Trump after Sunday’s shooting. Bessent thanked the Secret Service for protecting the president and his family. He also said investigators still do not know what motivated the suspect.
“We don’t know whether this person was a mastermind, unhinged, or what,” Bessent said during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.”
Security around Mar-a-Lago has remained tight since Trump left office and returned as a political candidate. The resort serves as both a private club and a frequent gathering place for supporters and political allies. The Secret Service coordinates closely with local agencies, including the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, to secure the property. Officers maintain checkpoints and monitor all entrances.
Officials said Sunday’s response followed established protocol. Agents issued clear commands and used force only after the suspect raised his weapon. Law enforcement leaders stressed that officers must act quickly when facing an armed threat. They said the presence of both a shotgun and a fuel can heightened the danger.
Recent attacks on public figures have increased concern across the country. In June 2025, Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed. Months later, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was also assassinated. Authorities continue to warn about online threats and lone-actor violence. Federal agencies have urged the public to report suspicious behavior.
