Law enforcement officers fatally shot an armed 21-year-old North Carolina man early Sunday morning after he breached the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The suspect, identified as Austin Tucker Martin, was carrying a shotgun and a fuel canister when he was confronted by security personnel.
The breach occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. when Martin reportedly drove through the property’s north gate by following another vehicle that was exiting the premises. According to the U.S. Secret Service, the President and First Lady Melania Trump were not at the resort during the incident; they were in Washington, D.C., attending the annual Governors Dinner at the White House.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated during a Sunday press conference that a deputy and two Secret Service agents intercepted Martin roughly 20 to 30 yards inside the gate. When officers ordered him to drop his items, the situation escalated rapidly.
“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 that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralised the threat.”
Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators revealed that his family had reported him missing from Moore County, North Carolina, just a day prior. Law enforcement officials believe Martin acquired the shotgun during his drive south to Florida, as a box for the weapon was recovered from his vehicle.
The FBI is now leading a joint investigation with the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Agents are currently working to compile a psychological profile of Martin to determine a motive. No law enforcement personnel or bystanders were injured during the encounter.