Armed man shot, killed after breaching secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Suspect named

By Associated Press

February 22, 2026 at 9:27 AM EST

An armed man was shot and killed

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during this incident. The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

First lady Melania Trump was also with the president at the White House on Saturday night.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said there was no immediate indication that the suspect was known to law enforcement. He was identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina.

Here is the latest:

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she had been speaking with the president.

She added that she is “coordinating with our federal partners throughout the morning regarding the intrusion and shooting at Mar-A-Lago. Grateful that

https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/2025611562367492116

FBI Director Kash Patel said in post on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X:

“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. 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.”

Though details of the armed man’s motive for entering the Mar-a-Lago perimeter are not yet known, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a Fox News interview on Sunday morning reacted by criticizing Democratic rhetoric.

“This existential threat that’s venom from the left really has to stop,” said Bessent, who added he had just spoken with Trump.

The man killed was identified by investigators as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, according to a person familiar with the matter. He was from North Carolina.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

The man had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman.

Asked whether the suspect was known to law enforcement, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said “not right now.”

Five days ago, U.S.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

https://x.com/PBCountySheriff/status/2025587948108845259

The FBI asked area residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

The suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family.

Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle, Guglielmi said. The man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by Secret Service agents, Guglielmi said.

The agents confronted the armed man and he was fatally shot. Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation.

July 13, 2024: Trump was wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa.

Sept. 15, 2024: A man with a rifle was captured after waiting near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president played a round. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.

The latest incident comes as the U.S. has been rocked multiple times in recent years by political violence.

Just last year, that included the assassination of conservative activist

after entering the secureperimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach.Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during this incident. The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

First lady Melania Trump was also with the president at the White House on Saturday night.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said there was no immediate indication that the suspect was known to law enforcement. He was identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina.

Here is the latest:

Bondi says she spoke to TrumpAttorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she had been speaking with the president.

She added that she is “coordinating with our federal partners throughout the morning regarding the intrusion and shooting at Mar-A-Lago. Grateful that

@potusand our law enforcement agents are safe.”https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/2025611562367492116

FBI to devote ‘all necessary resources’ to investigateFBI Director Kash Patel said in post on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.

White House press secretary calls Democrats ‘shameful’White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X:

“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. 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.”

Treasury secretary condemns Democratic rhetoric following Mar-a-Lago incidentThough details of the armed man’s motive for entering the Mar-a-Lago perimeter are not yet known, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a Fox News interview on Sunday morning reacted by criticizing Democratic rhetoric.

“This existential threat that’s venom from the left really has to stop,” said Bessent, who added he had just spoken with Trump.

Suspect identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21The man killed was identified by investigators as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, according to a person familiar with the matter. He was from North Carolina.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

Suspect was in his early 20s and from North CarolinaThe man had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman.

Asked whether the suspect was known to law enforcement, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said “not right now.”

Five days ago, U.S.

Capitol Police arresteda Georgia gunman armed with a shotgun as he sprinted towards the west side of the U.S. Capitol.Sheriff: Secret Service, sheriff's deputy confronted shooterPalm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

https://x.com/PBCountySheriff/status/2025587948108845259

FBI asks neighbors for helpThe FBI asked area residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

Suspect reported missing by his familyThe suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family.

Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle, Guglielmi said. The man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by Secret Service agents, Guglielmi said.

The agents confronted the armed man and he was fatally shot. Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation.

Trump has faced previous threats on his lifeJuly 13, 2024: Trump was wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa.

Sept. 15, 2024: A man with a rifle was captured after waiting near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president played a round. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.

The latest incident comes as the U.S. has been rocked multiple times in recent years by political violence.

Just last year, that included the assassination of conservative activist