Armed Man Killed After Attempting to Breach Mar-a-Lago

Secret Service agents and a sheriff's deputy shot and killed the intruder who was carrying a shotgun and gas can.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 11:38pm

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U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy shot and killed an armed man who attempted to force his way into former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida early Sunday morning. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, was carrying a shotgun and a gas can when he was confronted by law enforcement.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing security concerns and potential threats faced by former presidents and their properties, even after they have left office. The Secret Service is tasked with protecting former presidents and their families, and this event demonstrates their ability to quickly respond to and neutralize potential threats.

The details

According to authorities, the security detail at Mar-a-Lago detected the intruder entering the secure perimeter around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. Two Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confronted the armed man, who was ordered to drop the shotgun and gas can. When the suspect raised the shotgun in a shooting position, the law enforcement officers opened fire, killing him at the scene.

  • The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, who had been reported missing by his family earlier that morning.

The players

U.S. Secret Service

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting current and former presidents, their families, and their properties.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that assisted the Secret Service in responding to the incident at Mar-a-Lago.

Austin Tucker Martin

The 21-year-old suspect who was killed after attempting to breach the security perimeter at Mar-a-Lago while armed with a shotgun and gas can.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff

What’s next

Federal authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident and the suspect's background and motivations.

The takeaway

This event underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by former presidents and the critical role of the Secret Service in protecting them, even after they have left office. It also highlights the need for vigilance and quick response to potential threats to ensure the safety of public figures and their properties.