Armed man shot and killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago,
Secret Service says
[February 23, 2026]
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ALLEN G. BREED
WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago,
President Donald Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida, before being
shot and killed early Sunday morning, according to a spokesman for the
U.S. Secret Service.
Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White
House when the breach occurred around 1:30 a.m.
The man had a gas can and a shotgun, authorities said. Investigators
identified him as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina,
according to the FBI, and authorities said his family had recently
reported him missing.
He’s believed to have purchased his shotgun while driving south, Secret
Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, and a box for the weapon was
later discovered in the man’s vehicle.
Investigators have not identified a motive. However, Trump has faced
threats to his life before, including two assassination attempts during
the 2024 campaign.
The investigation is ongoing
The man entered the north gate of the property as another vehicle was
exiting and was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach
County sheriff's deputy, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric
Bradshaw.
“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with
him. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a
shooting position,” Bradshaw said at a brief press conference. The two
agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina said a relative
of Martin’s reported him missing early Sunday morning.
Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile. Asked
whether the man was previously known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said
“not right now.”
The FBI encouraged residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any
security cameras they may have for footage that could help
investigators.
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would be
“dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Martin was described by family as quiet and averse to guns
On Sunday afternoon, vehicles blocked the entrance to a property listed
in public records as an address for Martin at the end of a private road
in Cameron, North Carolina.
Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, reacted with disbelief. He described
Martin as quiet, afraid of guns and from a family of avid Trump
supporters.
“He’s a good kid,” Fields, 19, said. He said they grew up together. “I
wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,”
Fields said.
He said Martin worked at a local golf course and would send money from
each paycheck to charity.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,”
Fields said.
He said his cousin didn’t discuss politics.
“We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody,” Fields said, but
his cousin was “real quiet, never really talked about anything.”
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A Palm Beach County Sheriff vehicle blocks traffic near Mar-a-Lago,
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Trump faced two assassination attempts during his last campaign
Sunday's incursion at Mar-a-Lago took place a few miles from Trump's
West Palm Beach club where a man tried to assassinate him while he
played golf during the 2024 campaign.
A Secret Service agent spotted that man, Ryan Routh, aiming a rifle
through the shrubbery before Trump came into view. Officials said
Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire and caused Routh
to drop his weapon.
Routh was found guilty last year and sentenced this month to life in
prison.
Trump also survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in
Butler, Pennsylvania. That gunman fired eight shots before being
killed by a Secret Service counter sniper. One rally attendee was
killed by the gunman.
White House brings in shutdown politics
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X
that “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.”
Leavitt used her post to blame Democratic lawmakers in Congress for
the partial government shutdown affecting the Homeland Security
Department, which began Feb. 14 after Democrats demanded changes to
the president's deportation campaign.
The Secret Service is among the agencies where the vast majority of
employees are continuing their work but missing a paycheck.
“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe
and protect all Americans,” Leavitt said. “It’s shameful and
reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
The White House referred all questions to the Secret Service and
FBI. Both Trump and his wife posted statements on social media after
the incident, but they were unrelated to the shooting.
Numerous recent acts of politically motivated violence
In the past year, there was 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.
Five days ago, a Georgia man armed with a shotgun was arrested as he
sprinted toward the west side of the U.S. Capitol. Trump is
scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address there on Tuesday
night.
———
Breed reported from Cameron, N.C. Associated Press reporters Alanna
Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this
story.
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