On Sunday, February 22, 2026, U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed an armed man who illegally entered the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s private estate and club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The incident happened early in the morning, around 1:30 a.m., near the north gate of the property. According to officials, the man was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can (also described as a gas canister). Security detected the breach, and responding officers—a deputy and two Secret Service agents—confronted the suspect.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter during a press conference: The man was ordered to drop the items he was holding. He set down the gas can but then raised the shotgun into a shooting position. At that moment, the officers fired their weapons to neutralize the threat, and the man died at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured.
The suspect was identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron, North Carolina (some reports also mention Carthage or Moore County in the area). His identity was confirmed through items like his driver’s license. Martin had been reported missing by his family just a day earlier, on February 21, according to social media posts from his mother and local reports. Authorities believe he traveled south from North Carolina and obtained the shotgun along the way.
The Secret Service released a statement confirming the shooting and noting that the agents involved have been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation continues. The FBI, Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are jointly examining the incident, including the man’s background, actions, possible motive, and the use of force.
President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago during the event. He had been in Washington, D.C., the previous evening, delivering remarks at the White House Governors Dinner. The White House directed questions to the Secret Service and FBI. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X (formerly Twitter) praising the Secret Service for acting “quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person” and highlighting federal law enforcement’s efforts to protect Americans.
This event occurs against a backdrop of rising concerns about political violence in the United States. President Trump has survived two known assassination attempts in 2024: one during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear and a rally attendee was killed, and another involving a man with a rifle at his golf club in Florida. That suspect, Ryan Routh, was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Other recent incidents include a man arrested last week for rushing toward the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun, as well as deadly shootings targeting conservative figures and state lawmakers. A U.S. Capitol Police report from January 2026 noted a sharp increase in investigated cases compared to the previous year, reflecting heightened threats against political figures.
The investigation into Sunday’s breach at Mar-a-Lago remains ongoing, with officials working to determine the full circumstances and any potential motives behind the intruder’s actions.