Authorities from the FBI and U.S. Secret Service have provided additional information following an incident where an armed individual breached the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday morning.
The identified individual has been named as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina, who was fatally shot during the confrontation.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Martin entered the property through the north gate while another vehicle was exiting. He was met by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy. The Secret Service reported that Martin, on foot, was seen entering the gate as it opened for employees to exit.
Florida officials revealed that Martin was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. Sheriff Bradshaw stated, “He was instructed to drop the gas can and raised the shotgun in a shooting position, prompting the agents and deputy to fire their weapons to eliminate the threat.”
The Secret Service spokesperson mentioned that Martin is believed to have obtained the shotgun while traveling south, and a box for the weapon was located in his vehicle later on.
The motive behind Martin’s actions has not been determined yet.
Efforts are underway to create a psychological profile of the individual. When questioned about any prior interactions with law enforcement, Sheriff Bradshaw responded, “not at this time.”
Residents residing near Mar-a-Lago have been urged by the FBI to review any security camera footage they might have that could assist in the investigation.
Efforts are underway to create a psychological profile of the individual. When questioned about any prior interactions with law enforcement, Sheriff Bradshaw responded, “not at this time.”
The FBI encouraged residents living near Mar-a-Lago to review any security cameras they might have for footage that could assist in the investigation.
Trump referenced being the target of two assassination attempts in 2024 within a few weeks during a White House event for crime victims on Monday morning.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I’ve got a lot of people gunning for me, don’t I?” he remarked.
He further stated, “But they only go after consequential presidents, they don’t go after non-consequential presidents.”
‘Mind-blowing,’ says cousin of suspect
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina was informed by a relative of Martin’s about his disappearance early on Sunday.
Braeden Fields, a cousin who grew up with Martin, mentioned that Martin rarely discussed politics, seemed fearful of firearms, and came from a family supportive of Trump.
Fields expressed disbelief, saying, “I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing. He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun.”
Martin resided with his mother in a modest modular house along a rough, sandy path near Cameron, N.C. There was no response at their residence on Monday, and the large police presence from the previous day had dissipated.
Fields noted that Martin’s sister passed away in a car accident in 2023 at the age of 21