Secret Service Kills Armed Intruder at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Residence

The U.S. Secret Service said agents, alongside a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy, shot and killed a man who “unlawfully enter[ed] the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago early this morning.”

The incident occurred at approximately 01:30 ET (06:30 GMT) on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump was in Washington D.C. at the time.

Authorities stated the suspect was observed near the north gate carrying “what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.”

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told a news conference that officers issued a direct command: “drop the items.” Bradshaw added: “At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position.” Agents then fired “to neutralise the threat.”

No law enforcement personnel were injured, and Bradshaw said officers were wearing body cameras.

Identity And Investigative Scope

CBS identified the suspect as Austin T. Martin, 21, of Cameron, North Carolina. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office said Martin’s family had reported him missing earlier Sunday. The department noted it had “no record of prior history” involving Martin and was not involved in the Florida investigation.

Investigators are examining whether the firearm was purchased along the driving route from North Carolina to Florida.

Bradshaw said authorities did not yet know whether the shotgun was loaded, a determination that will form part of the inquiry. The FBI is assisting.

Layered Security, Rapid Response

Security at Mar-a-Lago involves an outer cordon maintained by local sheriff’s deputies and an inner perimeter secured by the Secret Service. Visitors undergo screening, while vehicles and bags are checked using dogs and metal detectors. The overnight breach attempt tested those protocols under low-visibility conditions common to early-morning operations.

The Secret Service said Director Sean Curran traveled to Florida for “after-actions” and had “reinvigorated operational communication and agency response to critical incidents.”

Such reviews typically assess detection, communication, escalation-of-force decisions, and coordination with local partners.

Context Of Elevated Threat Environment

Trump has faced multiple assassination threats. In July 2024, he was wounded in the ear during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania; one bystander was killed.

The shooter, Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead at the scene.

Months later, a Secret Service agent detected a rifle protruding from bushes at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect, Ryan Routh, 59, fled and was later arrested. He was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this month for attempting to assassinate the president.

Political rhetoric surrounding violence remains contentious. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business that “Two would-be assassins dead, one in jail for life,” adding: “They are normalising this violence. It’s got to stop.”

Political violence has become a prominent domestic security concern following several high-profile incidents last year, including the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence and the fatal shootings of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota.