What we know about armed man who was fatally shot at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence
Topics: US News, Politics, Donald Trump, Police, Crime
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Sky News
Topics: US News, Politics, Donald Trump, Police, Crime
An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, United States President Donald Trump’s resort in Florida, before being shot and killed, according to a spokesman for the US Secret Service.
He 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.
The man, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
He had been reported missing by his family a few days ago, and investigators believe he headed south and picked up the shotgun along the way, per PA.
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Guglielmi said a box for the weapon was discovered in the man’s vehicle after the incident, which took place around 1.30 am local time.
Trump was not there during the incident early on Sunday morning (22 February) but was at the White House in Washington, D.C.
The man killed was identified by investigators as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin.
"He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him," Bradshaw said at a brief press conference.
"At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position."
The two agents and the deputy 'fired their weapons to neutralise the threat'.
Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile, and a motive is still under investigation.
Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, described him as quiet, afraid of guns and from a family of avid Trump supporters.
"He’s a good kid," 19-year-old Fields told the Associated Press, adding that his cousin was 'real quiet, never really talked about anything'.
"I wouldn't believe he would do something like this. It's mind-blowing."
Fields said Martin worked at a local golf course and would send money from his wages to charity.
"He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun," Fields continued.
"We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody," he added.
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… https://t.co/MYTsHqR4cx
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 22, 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has taken to X to share a statement blaming Democratic lawmakers in Congress for the partial government shutdown affecting the Homeland Security Department.
The shutdown, which began on February 14th after Democrats demanded changes to the president’s deportation campaign, AP News reports.
It reads: "In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralise 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."
FBI director Kash Patel has also shared a statement on X, stating that the bureau was dedicating 'all necessary resources' to the investigation.
"FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter," Patel wrote.
"We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able."