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An armed individual was fatally shot after breaching the secure borders of Mar-a-Lago, the luxurious Palm Beach, Florida resort owned by former President Donald Trump. This incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 a.m.
At the time of the breach, President Trump was not present at the resort as he was spending the weekend at the White House. First Lady Melania Trump was also in the nation’s capital alongside her husband on Saturday night. The identity of the deceased has not yet been publicly disclosed.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the individual was previously known to law enforcement. However, the suspect has been identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old resident of North Carolina.
This incident marks the latest in a series of security challenges faced by the high-profile property, raising questions about safety protocols and the persistent challenges of protecting such a prominent location. As developments unfold, authorities continue to investigate the motivations behind this alarming breach.
The latest:
Bondi says she spoke to Trump
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she had been speaking with the president.
She added that she is “coordinating with our federal partners throughout the morning regarding the intrusion and shooting at Mar-A-Lago. Grateful that @potus and our law enforcement agents are safe.”
FBI to devote ‘all necessary resources’ to investigate
FBI Director Kash Patel said in post on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
White House press secretary calls Democrats ‘shameful’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X:
“In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home. Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
Treasury secretary condemns Democratic rhetoric following Mar-a-Lago incident
Though details of the armed man’s motive for entering the Mar-a-Lago perimeter are not yet known, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a Fox News interview on Sunday morning reacted by criticizing Democratic rhetoric.
“This existential threat that’s venom from the left really has to stop,” said Bessent, who added he had just spoken with Trump.
Suspect identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21
The man killed was identified by investigators as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, according to a person familiar with the matter. He was from North Carolina.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.
– By Alanna Durkin Richer
Suspect was in his early 20s and from North Carolina
The man had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman.
Asked whether the suspect was known to law enforcement, Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said “not right now.”
Five days ago, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a Georgia gunman armed with a shotgun as he sprinted towards the west side of the U.S. Capitol.
Sheriff: Secret Service, sheriff’s deputy confronted shooter
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.
“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
FBI asks neighbors for help
The FBI asked area residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.
Suspect reported missing by his family
The suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family.
Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.
The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle, Guglielmi said. The man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by Secret Service agents, Guglielmi said.
The agents confronted the armed man and he was fatally shot. Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation.
Trump has faced threats before
Trump has faced threats to his life before. He was wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024.
Then on Sept. 15, 2024, a man with a rifle was captured after waiting near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president played a round. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.
The incident comes as the U.S. has been rocked multiple times in recent years by political violence.
Just last year, that included the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the assassination of the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and her husband and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife, and an arson attack at the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
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