21-Year-old Shot at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
A 21-year-old man from North Carolina was shot and killed early Sunday after allegedly trying to enter the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of Donald Trump. Authorities said the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C. No officers were injured during the confrontation.
Law enforcement officials identified the man as Austin Tucker Martin. He was pronounced dead at the scene after officers opened fire. The investigation is now being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Martin allegedly approached the north gate of the estate carrying a shotgun and a gas canister. Officers said he was ordered to drop the items but instead raised the shotgun. At that point, two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy fired their weapons.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the officers acted to neutralize what they described as a threat. A vehicle believed to belong to Martin, a silver Volkswagen, was found nearby. Investigators said a box inside the car appeared to have carried the shotgun.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service said authorities believe Martin picked up the weapon before traveling south to Florida. Officials have not yet disclosed his motive or how he reached the secure perimeter of the property.
Family members said they had reported Martin missing before learning of his death. Relatives described him as quiet and gentle, saying they were shocked by the news. One cousin said he did not believe Martin would intentionally harm anyone.
Martin graduated from Union Pines High School in North Carolina in 2023. Voting records reportedly listed him as unaffiliated with any political party. He was said to have worked at a local golf course.
In 2025, Martin launched an art business called Fresh Sky Illustrations, focusing on hand-drawn golf course artwork. A golf professional who had seen his work described his drawings as impressive and detailed.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on social media that Secret Service agents acted quickly and decisively during the incident. Officials confirmed that Trump was not at the estate at the time.
The shooting comes amid heightened security concerns around Trump and his properties. In July 2024, a gunman grazed Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania before being shot dead by officers.
Later that year, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested after allegedly pointing a rifle through a fence near Trump International Golf Club in Florida. He was later sentenced to life in federal prison and has filed an appeal.
Authorities said the investigation into Martin’s actions is ongoing. Federal agents are working to determine his movements, intentions and what led him to travel from North Carolina to Florida.
For now, officials say the case remains under review as part of broader security measures surrounding the former and current president’s properties.