Suspect shot dead inside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Secure Perimeter named

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

 Authorities have identified the man fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service agents after breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina.

The incident unfolded shortly after 1:30 a.m. ET Sunday when Martin entered the property near the north gate.

According to the Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, he was armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel can.

Multiple reports, including from CBS News and Associated Press sources, indicate Martin gained access as another vehicle, a guest, was exiting the gated entrance, allowing him to drive or slip through before the barrier closed.

Law enforcement confronted the suspect promptly. Sheriff Bradshaw stated that Martin was ordered to drop his weapons.

Instead, he set down the fuel can and raised the shotgun into a firing position. Two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy then opened fire, striking and killing him at the scene. No officers were injured.

Investigators believe Martin may have purchased the shotgun during his drive south from North Carolina to Florida.

A box for the weapon was reportedly found in his vehicle afterward. His family had reported him missing just one day earlier, on Saturday, raising questions about his state of mind and travel intentions.

A motive remains under active investigation, with officials working to build a psychological profile. There is no immediate indication that Martin was previously known to law enforcement or had any direct connection to the president or the property.

President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago during the breach, he and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House in Washington, D.C. The president has been briefed on the incident.

The joint investigation involving the Secret Service, FBI, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office continues. Authorities have appealed to nearby residents for any security camera footage that might provide additional context.

Mar-a-Lago, a frequent presidential retreat and protected federal site, maintains strict security measures. This event follows previous security threats to Trump, including documented assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign cycle.