Shocking Incident: Man with Shotgun Fatally Shot at Mar-a-Lago, Identity Revealed

In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday morning, a young man named Austin Tucker Martin was fatally shot after making his way into former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

The 21-year-old from North Carolina was confronted at around 1:30 a.m. at the Palm Beach, Florida, resort. According to Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service, Martin entered the premises armed with a shotgun and carrying a gas can.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw provided further details, stating that Martin gained access through the resort’s north gate. There, he encountered two Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department.

“He was instructed to put down his equipment,” Bradshaw recounted during a brief press conference. “Martin complied by placing the gas can on the ground, but then raised the shotgun as if preparing to fire.”

In response to the imminent danger, the agents and the deputy discharged their firearms, effectively neutralizing the threat.

Martin was reported missing by his family and was believed to have picked up the shotgun on his way down South. Guglielmi said that a box for the weapon was found inside Martin’s car, which his family identified as a 2013 silver Volkswagen Tiguan. 

Family members said on Facebook that Martin was last heard from on Saturday just before 8pm after he left his $1.1 million home in Cameron, North Carolina, at around 1pm. 

‘This is not like him at all,’ his aunt wrote. 

Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was shot and killed at around 1.30am on Sunday at Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida, after entering with a gas can and a shotgun

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that, after entering near the north gate of the resort, Martin was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a deputy with the sheriff’s department

 Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the US Secret Service, said that a box for the weapon was found inside Martin’s car, which his family identified as a 2013 silver Volkswagen Tiguan

Martin was identified by a person familiar with the matter, who chose to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

Guglielmi said: ‘On February 22, around 1.30am, a male in his early 20s was shot by US Secret Service agents and deputy from the Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry in the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago.

‘The individual, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced deceased. He was observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.’

According to Guglielmi, no Secret Service or deputies with the sheriff’s officer were injured. 

‘There were no Secret Service protectees at the location at the time of the incident,’ he added. 

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote 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.’

The president and First Lady Melania Trump were not at the Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend. Instead, they were both at The White House at the time of the incident. 

Martin, seen on the far right, is pictured with his family 

Family members said on Facebook that Martin was last heard from on Saturday just before 8pm after he left his $1.1 million home in Cameron, North Carolina, at around 1pm

The president and First Lady Melania Trump were not at the Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend. Instead, they were both at The White House at the time of the incident

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Martin as a ‘crazy person’ armed with a gas canister and a gun, and added: ‘It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their department’

The FBI asked residents to review home security footage for any contents that may help investigators. 

A motive for the breach remains unclear as law enforcement continues to investigate. Bradshaw, when asked if Martin was known by police, said ‘not right now.’

The incident occurred just miles from Trump’s West Palm Beach club where a man tried to assassinate him while he played golf during his 2024 campaign. 

Ryan Routh was spotted hiding in the shrubbery with a rifle by a Secret Service agent. 

The gunman was found guilty last year and sentenced this month to life in prison. 

Trump also survived an assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania campaign rally. That gunman fired eight shots before being killed by a Secret Service counter sniper.

Five days ago, a Georgia man armed with a shotgun was arrested as he sprinted towards the west side of the US Capitol.