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In the early hours of Sunday morning, a man was fatally shot by law enforcement at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Anthony Guglielmi, head of communications for the Secret Service, reported that the individual, described as being in his early 20s, was killed after breaching the resort’s secure perimeter around 1:30 a.m. local time. The situation escalated when two Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded, leading to gunfire, according to Sheriff Ric L. Bradshaw during a press briefing on Sunday.
Authorities from both local and federal agencies are currently trying to determine whether the fatal shot came from a Secret Service agent or the sheriff’s deputy, as Sheriff Bradshaw noted. Later on Sunday, the FBI identified the deceased as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from Moore County, North Carolina, after notifying his family.
Although President Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the time, he frequently spends weekends at the Florida property.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the incident via social media, stating, “While most Americans slept, the United States Secret Service swiftly neutralized a disturbed individual armed with a gun and gas canister who trespassed on President Trump’s property. Federal law enforcement remains vigilant around the clock to ensure the nation’s safety. It’s disappointing and irresponsible for Democrats to have chosen to close their Department.”
Secret Service is within the Department of Homeland Security, which is operating without funding amid negotiations on immigration enforcement measures.
Guglielmi, in his Sunday statement, said Martin was seen by the north gate of the property “carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.”
“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him, at which time he put down the gas can and raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.”
The Secret Service spokesperson, in the initial statement, added that no law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident and that the agency is withholding the deceased man’s identity as officials look to notify his next of kin.
The fatal shooting is under investigation by the FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI is leading the probe, per Bradshaw.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote Sunday on social platform X that the bureau “is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation” of the incident. Patel added the FBI “will continue working closely” with the Secret Service, state and federal partners and “will provide updates as we are able.”
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn also shared a photo on X at just before 3 p.m. EST Sunday of Secret Service Director Sean Curran boarding a flight to Florida “for after-actions.” Quinn also wrote that “our teams remain fully engaged on mission.”
At Sunday’s presser, the special agent in charge of the FBI field office asked residents living near Mar-a-Lago to check their security cameras and to contact the FBI if they see anything suspicious.
Secret Service agents involved in the incident have been placed on routine administrative leave, Guglielmi added.
Updated at 5:39 p.m. EST