Early Sunday morning, U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County deputy shot and killed a man who forced his way into the inner perimeter at Mar-a-Lago, authorities said. The intruder, described as a white male in his early 20s, was armed with a shotgun and was carrying a gas can when he was confronted and then neutralized. Federal and local officials held a briefing as the investigation unfolded and officials confirmed the scene is now under active federal review.
The incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on February 22, 2026, when Marine security detected someone had penetrated the secure area of the Florida residence. Agents and a deputy responded, confronted the man and ordered him to disarm, and shots were fired when he raised a weapon. The Secret Service released initial information and a statement to the public following a from the U.S. Secret Service.
Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Gugliemi put the situation in blunt terms for the public and media. “An armed man was shot & killed by U.S. Secret Service agents & @PBCountySheriff after 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 @FBI and Palm Beach County,” Gugliemi wrote.
There is footage and third-party video related to the incident circulating, and officials said more material will be shared as it is cleared for release. Journalists and the public will see more details as federal investigators sort witness statements and physical evidence, and a video package was noted by law enforcement observers . Local and federal agencies stressed this remains an active probe.
At the press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw outlined the quick timeline that led to the use of lethal force. “At 1:30 this morning the security detail detected an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago. A deputy and two Secret Service agents on the detail went to that area to investigate,” Bradshaw told reporters at the Sunday morning press conference.
Bradshaw continued with the critical moments that forced the split-second decision. “They confronted a white male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him and, at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position, and at that point in time the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.”
Authorities later identified the man as Austin Tucker Martin, and initial reporting tied the name to a missing person report filed hours earlier in North Carolina. The Moore County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office said in a public post, “The Moore County Sheriff’s Office confirms that on February 22, 2026, at approximately 1:38 a.m., a relative of 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin approached a deputy at a local business and reported him missing. He was subsequently entered into a national missing person database.”
Federal investigators asked the Moore County office to hand over information, and local officials complied as the probe shifted to a national scope. “Following that report, federal authorities informed the Sheriff’s Office that they are conducting an active investigation in Florida involving Martin,” the statement continued. At the federal request, local missing-person details were turned over to investigators working in Florida.
Former President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago during the incident; he and the first lady were in Washington the night before for events with governors. The details underscore a familiar and dangerous pattern: Secret Service agents work around the clock to keep protectees safe and must make life-or-death choices in an instant. Americans watching want clear answers, and investigators say they will provide them as soon as possible.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in and framed the outcome in stark terms. “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X. “Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
Law enforcement officials emphasized that this remains an active criminal investigation and urged patience while forensic work and witness interviews continue. Federal agencies are coordinating chain-of-custody steps, evidence collection and autopsy procedures, and they will release findings when appropriate. This is a fluid situation and authorities promise updates as more verified information becomes available.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Federal and local sources continue to review footage, physical evidence and witness accounts, and additional public briefings are expected once investigative milestones are reached.
