In the early hours of Sunday, February 22, 2026, Austin Tucker Martin, a 21‑year‑old man from North Carolina, was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy at Mar‑a‑Lago, the private Florida residence and club owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. when Martin reportedly drove through the resort’s secure north gate and was confronted by law enforcement personnel.
According to official statements from the Secret Service, the situation began when Martin entered the secure perimeter of the property while carrying what authorities described as a shotgun and a fuel can.
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Law enforcement officials observed him near the gate and attempted to stop him from proceeding further into the estate. Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the items he was carrying, but during the confrontation, Martin placed the gas can down and then raised the shotgun in a shooting position, prompting the agents and deputy to fire their weapons. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were not present at Mar‑a‑Lago at the time, as both were in Washington, D.C. when the incident occurred. The president often spends weekends at the Florida property, but there was no indication he was on site during the confrontation.
Officials later confirmed that no Secret Service agents or Palm Beach County deputies were injured during the exchange. As is routine in such incidents, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while federal investigations continue.
The FBI, alongside the Secret Service and local law enforcement, is leading the inquiry into the events, gathering evidence and seeking to determine more about Martin’s motives and actions prior to the shooting.
Family members had reportedly reported Martin as missing a few days before the incident, and authorities believe he may have picked up the shotgun while traveling south, though details about how he acquired the weapon have not been confirmed. Investigators also located the box for the firearm in his vehicle after the shooting.
At public briefings, law enforcement officials described the threat as serious, noting that Martin’s decision to raise the weapon toward officers was the immediate cause for the force used against him.
However, the broader motive behind Martin’s actions remains under investigation, and authorities are working to compile a psychological profile as part of the FBI’s ongoing inquiry.
This event comes amid a period of heightened concerns about political and high‑profile security incidents in the United States. Former President Trump survived two separate assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, including incidents at a Pennsylvania rally and near one of his golf clubs in Florida, increasing the spotlight on protective measures around prominent political figures and properties.
As investigations proceed, local residents near the Resort have been asked to review neighborhood camera footage that may help clarify the circumstances leading to the breach. Authorities continue to stress that the public is not at ongoing risk from this specific incident, even as details of Martin’s background and motives are still emerging.
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