Palm Beach, Florida – February 22, 2026
The U.S. Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office have officially identified the 21-year-old man who was shot and killed early Sunday morning after attempting to breach the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club.
The individual is Austin Tucker Martin, a white male, age 21, from Cameron or Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina.
Incident Timeline & Key Facts
Time & Location: Approximately 1:30 a.m. EST (06:30 GMT) near the north gate of Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida.
Armed with: Shotgun + fuel can (gas can).
Confrontation: Two Secret Service agents and one Palm Beach County deputy ordered the suspect to drop his weapons. He discarded the fuel can but raised the shotgun into a firing position.
Outcome: Officers opened fire; Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. No law-enforcement personnel were injured.
President’s Location: Donald Trump was in Washington, D.C. attending the Governors’ Dinner at the White House Saturday evening. No protectees were present at Mar-a-Lago.
Background on Austin Tucker Martin
Missing Person Report: Family reported him missing on Friday, February 21, 2026 — less than 24 hours before the incident.
Travel: Investigators believe he drove south from North Carolina. The shotgun was believed to have been acquired en route; an empty gun case was found inside his vehicle.
Identification: Confirmed via driver’s license and other records released Sunday afternoon.
Prior Record: No public indication at this time that he was previously known to law enforcement or on any watchlist.
Official Statements
Secret Service (Anthony Guglielmi, Communications Chief): “The individual approached the north gate armed with a shotgun and fuel can. He was confronted by Secret Service personnel and Palm Beach deputies. After he raised the firearm, officers discharged their weapons.”
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw: “He raised the shotgun toward the officers. At that point the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.”
FBI: Leading the investigation into motive, background, travel route, mental health history, and justification for use of force.
Broader Security Context
The shooting is the latest security-related incident involving properties or events linked to President Trump:
July 2024 – Butler, Pennsylvania rally shooting (bullet grazed Trump’s ear; one spectator killed).
September 2024 – Foiled assassination plot at Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach (perpetrator Ryan Wesley Routh sentenced to life in prison earlier this month).
These events have prompted significantly heightened security protocols around Mar-a-Lago, Trump Tower, Bedminster, and other Trump family residences.
Ongoing Investigation
Multi-agency task force (FBI lead, Secret Service, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, ATF) is examining:
Exact motive (political, personal, mental health-related?)
Social-media activity, communications, and online footprint
Vehicle contents and purchases made during travel
Possible radicalization indicators
No terrorism classification has been announced at this time.
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