An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida, about 1:30 a.m. early Sunday and was shot and killed, according to The Associated Press.
Authorities said the man had a gas can and a shotgun. The FBI identified him as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina.
Here’s what we know
Martin is believed to have purchased the shotgun while driving south, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. A box for the weapon was later found in his vehicle.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the investigation is ongoing.
He told reporters that Martin entered the north gate of the property as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy.
Bradshaw said Martin was ordered to drop the items he was carrying. He set down a gas can but raised a shotgun in a shooting position, prompting the agents and deputy to fire and neutralize the threat.
The sheriff said law enforcement had no prior knowledge of Martin and could not confirm how many shots were fired because the FBI is leading the investigation.
No law enforcement officers were injured, and Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Just last week, U.S. Capitol Police arrested an 18-year-old who ran toward the west side of the Capitol armed with a shotgun.
Family relative weighs in
Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, described Martin as quiet and afraid of guns, and said he was from a family of avid Trump supporters.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said, per the AP.
He added that Martin worked at a nearby golf course and donated to charity regularly.
“I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,” Fields said.