A 21-year-old man from North Carolina was fatally shot by US Secret Service agents after he breached the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and raised a shotgun in a threatening position. Authorities identified him as Austin Tucker Martin, a resident of Cameron, North Carolina, whose family had reported him missing the day before the incident.
In the early hours of 22 February 2026, law enforcement confronted Martin at the north gate of Mar-a-Lago, the private club and Palm Beach residence that serves as a frequent retreat for Trump. The confrontation ended in his death, throwing fresh scrutiny on the security arrangements at one of the most politically sensitive private properties in the United States.
At approximately 01:30 local time, Martin drove through a controlled entry point at the north perimeter as another vehicle was exiting the property, according to statements from the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Agents observed him carrying what authorities described as 'a shotgun and a fuel can.'
Two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy confronted Martin, issuing repeated orders to drop his weapons. He removed the gas can but then raised the shotgun into what officials called a 'firing position.' Officers opened fire, fatally wounding him on the spot. No agents or deputies were injured.
Officials confirmed Trump and Melania Trump were not at Mar-a-Lago at the time. The couple were in Washington, DC, attending engagements at the White House.
Federal investigations into the use of force and the intruder's motives are ongoing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken the lead role in the inquiry. It has appealed to nearby residents to review external surveillance footage that may shed further light on the events preceding the breach.
An armed man was shot & killed by U.S. Secret Service agents &@PBCountySheriffafter unlawfully entering the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago early this morning. A press briefing with additional details will be held at 9:00 a.m with@FBIand Palm Beach County.pic.twitter.com/jAXhdb1xEL
Social media accounts linked to Martin portray him as a visual artist focused on golf course landscapes in the Sandhills region of North Carolina — an area known for historic courses such as Pinehurst. Posts shared by family and friends in the hours before his disappearance reflected mounting concern over his whereabouts.
Investigators recovered evidence suggesting Martin acquired the shotgun during his journey south from North Carolina, including the firearm's packaging found in his vehicle. Authorities have not established a clear motive. Law enforcement officials cautioned against speculation while building a psychological and behavioural profile of the 21-year-old.
Tucker "Austin" Martin was reported missing by his family in Carthage, NC this morning. The same name has been dropped as the deceased shooter at Mar-a-Lago.pic.twitter.com/x5FXWNAxYL
Source: International Business Times UK
