A man in his early 20s was shot and killed early Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after an alleged breach of the secure perimeter at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
Officials said the suspect was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can when law enforcement confronted him near the property’s north gate.
No Secret Service personnel or local deputies were injured, authorities said. Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the shooting.
What happened at Mar-a-Lago
The Secret Service said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Eastern time after what it described as an “unauthorized entry” into the secure perimeter. The agency said agents observed the individual near the north gate carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said a deputy and two Secret Service agents confronted the man after he made it into the “inner perimeter” of the property. Bradshaw said officers ordered the man to drop the items he was carrying.
Bradshaw said the man put down the fuel can but raised the shotgun into a shooting position. The deputy and agents then fired, Bradshaw said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials said the suspect did not exchange words with law enforcement during the confrontation. Authorities also said no Secret Service protectees were present at the location at the time of the shooting.
Who investigators identified
Sheriff Bradshaw identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina. Officials said Martin had been reported missing within the last several days.
Investigators said they are working to determine how Martin traveled to Florida and where he obtained the weapon. The Associated Press reported that investigators believe he traveled south and picked up the shotgun along the way, and that a weapon box was found in his vehicle after the incident.
Authorities have not released additional details about Martin’s background beyond his identification, age, and home state. Officials said that line of inquiry remains part of the active investigation.
Investigation and law enforcement response
The FBI, Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the shooting, including the suspect’s actions and any potential motive. Officials said the FBI is leading or taking over the investigation because the incident occurred in an area under Secret Service protection.
At a briefing Sunday, officials said evidence teams were processing the scene and collecting physical evidence. Investigators said they were also building a timeline for the suspect’s movements before the breach.
Authorities urged nearby residents to review exterior security camera footage from late Saturday into early Sunday. Investigators said video from the area could help establish how the suspect approached the property, whether he had contact with anyone before the shooting, and whether there were additional vehicles or individuals nearby.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post that the bureau is dedicating resources to the investigation and is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners.
