A man armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel canister was shot and killed by law enforcement early Sunday morning after breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, authorities announced. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time when security personnel discovered the individual had entered the property through the north gate as a guest was exiting. President Trump was not present at the resort during the incident, as he remained at the White House in Washington with First Lady Melania Trump.
The Confrontation
Upon discovering the intruder, two U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy confronted the man, who was described as a white male in his early 20s carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a red fuel canister. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated at a news conference that officers issued a single command: "Drop the items". According to Bradshaw, the suspect complied by putting down the gas can but then raised the shotgun to a "shooting position," prompting the three officers to open fire and neutralize the threat. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene, and no law enforcement officers were injured. Sheriff Bradshaw confirmed that all involved officers were wearing body cameras at the time of the incident.
Suspect Identified and Investigation Underway
Multiple sources have identified the suspect as 21-year-old Austin T. Martin from Cameron, North Carolina. According to the BBC's US partner CBS News, Martin's family had reported him missing the previous day. Investigators believe Martin drove from North Carolina to Florida and may have purchased the shotgun along his route, as the weapon's box was recovered from his vehicle. The FBI has assumed leadership of the investigation, with Director Kash Patel stating the agency is "dedicating all necessary resources" to determining the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials have urged nearby residents to review security camera footage for any suspicious activity that might aid the investigation.
White House Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised law enforcement's response, stating the Secret Service "acted quickly and decisively to neutralise a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump's home". Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she had been in contact with Trump throughout the morning, coordinating with federal partners and expressing gratitude that the president and law enforcement officers remained safe. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on Fox News, noted that while the suspect's motive remains unclear, the security perimeter around the president is "as strong as it's ever been". The incident represents the latest in a troubling pattern of political violence that has gripped the deeply polarized nation.
A Pattern of Threats
Sunday's incident adds to a disturbing history of security breaches targeting President Trump. Earlier this month, Ryan Routh, 59, was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to assassinate Trump at a Florida golf course in September 2024. That attempted attack occurred just two months after the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired multiple shots during a campaign rally, grazing Trump's right ear and killing one rallygoer. Crooks was immediately shot and killed by security forces, and his motive remains unknown.
Climate of Political Violence
The Mar-a-Lago incident reflects a wider escalation of politically motivated violence across the United States. In September 2025, right-wing influencer and staunch Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an event at a university in Utah. Earlier, in June 2025, a masked shooter killed Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband at their home, while another elected official and his spouse were also targeted and seriously injured. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, considered a potential presidential contender, had his residence set ablaze in April 2025 in an alleged assassination attempt.
Security Protocols and Ongoing Investigation
The Secret Service maintains responsibility for protecting current and former presidents, vice presidents, their families, major election candidates, and visiting foreign heads of state. Even when Trump is away from Mar-a-Lago, security remains extremely tight, with an outer cordon of local sheriff's deputies and an inner perimeter maintained by the Secret Service. Regulars at the private club, which hosts prominent Republican figures and wealthy business leaders, undergo thorough screening including vehicle searches, dog inspections, and metal detectors. The FBI continues its investigation, with agents processing the scene and working to compile a psychological profile of the suspect. The names of the officers involved in the shooting have not been released, and they have been placed on administrative leave pending standard review procedures.