An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday morning by agents of the U.S. Secret Service after he breached the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago, the private Florida estate and club owned by Donald Trump. The incident took place at about 1:30 a.m. local time on February 22, 2026, when the suspect was observed near the north gate of the property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel canister.
What Happened During the Breach
According to officials, the man drove onto the estate grounds as another vehicle was exiting, allowing him momentary access inside the security perimeter. Security personnel, including Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy, confronted him and ordered him to drop the items he was carrying. While he put down the fuel can, he then raised the shotgun in a threatening manner, prompting agents to fire at him. No law enforcement officers were reported injured in the confrontation. The only shots fired were by the federal agents responding to the threat, officials confirmed.
Identity and Background of the Suspect
Authorities identified the man as a 21-year-old from North Carolina, later reported as Austin Tucker Martin, after the state’s missing-person alert system was cross-referenced with the investigation. His family had reported him missing a few days before the incident, and investigators have said he likely picked up the shotgun while traveling southward toward Florida.
At this stage, motives for his actions remain unknown, and officials are working to determine why he sought to enter the heavily guarded estate.
Trump and First Lady Not Present
At the time of the shooting, Donald Trump and Melania Trump were not at Mar-a-Lago, but in Washington, D.C. Trump had been attending a governors’ dinner the night before, and the first lady was with him at the White House. The Secret Service stated that no “protectees” were present on the property when the breach occurred.
Official Response and Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office have all launched a joint investigation into the incident.
Authorities are working to compile a psychological profile of the suspect, examine the items found at the scene — including the shotgun box recovered in the vehicle — and collect any nearby surveillance footage that could shed further light on his intentions. In line with standard protocol following a shooting involving law enforcement, the Secret Service agents involved have been placed on administrative leave while the review continues.
Broader Context
This security breach comes at a time when political violence issues have been in the spotlight in the United States. Trump has survived multiple previous attacks and threats, including assassination attempts and other security incidents during and after his 2024 campaign — some of which resulted in arrests or convictions. Officials have not made any public claims tying this latest incident directly to broader political motives, and the investigation is ongoing.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting at Mar-a-Lago underscores the intense security environment surrounding high-profile political figures such as Donald Trump. While no protectees were present at the time of the breach, the rapid response by the United States Secret Service demonstrates the strict protocols in place when an armed individual enters a restricted perimeter. Authorities have confirmed that the suspect was armed and failed to comply with commands before agents opened fire. As with any law-enforcement-involved shooting, a formal investigation is now underway to review the sequence of events, assess the use of force, and determine the intruder’s motive. Standard procedure places the involved agents on administrative leave while the inquiry proceeds.
