In the early hours of Sunday, February 22, 2026, U.S. Secret Service agents, together with a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, fatally shot a man who attempted to enter the secured perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time (06:30 GMT) near the north gate of the property. According to Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi, the individual — identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, from North Carolina — was armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel can.
Aerial view of Mar-a-Lago – The sprawling oceanfront estate that serves as President Trump’s “Winter White House.”
Key Details of the Incident
- The man approached the secured perimeter on foot.
- Secret Service agents and the Palm Beach deputy confronted him.
- Sheriff Ric Bradshaw stated that the suspect “raised his shotgun” after being challenged, prompting the officers to open fire.
- He was pronounced dead at the scene. No law-enforcement personnel were injured.
- President Trump was in Washington, D.C. at the time and no protectees were present at the resort.
Main entrance to Mar-a-Lago – The iconic gilded gates frequently guarded by heavy security details.
Background on the Suspect
- Austin Tucker Martin had been reported missing by his family in North Carolina several days earlier.
- Investigators believe he traveled south, acquiring the shotgun during the journey.
- His exact motive remains under investigation; no political or ideological links have been publicly confirmed at this stage.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is leading the probe, with full support from the Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are examining:
- The individual’s background and travel history
- Potential motive
- Circumstances surrounding the use of lethal force
Security presence outside Mar-a-Lago – Increased patrols and barriers have become routine following previous security incidents.
Broader Security Context
This is the latest in a series of serious threats directed at President Trump in recent years:
- September 2024 – Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was sentenced to life in prison after planning to assassinate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course.
- July 2024 – 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear, killing one attendee, and injuring others.
Those incidents dramatically heightened security protocols around the president, his family, and his properties — especially Mar-a-Lago, which remains one of the most heavily protected private residences in the United States.
The shooting underscores the persistent security challenges facing high-profile political figures amid deep national polarization. Updates are expected as the multi-agency investigation continues.