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Mar-a-Lago Intruder's Car Found Abandoned in Palm Beach
Police locate vehicle of Austin Tucker Martin, who was fatally shot after entering Trump's Florida estate
Feb. 24, 2026 at 8:48pm
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The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan belonging to 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin was discovered parked along the seawall near Midtown Beach in Palm Beach, Florida, shortly after Martin was shot and killed by Secret Service agents and a sheriff's deputy after entering President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort while armed with a shotgun and gas canister.
Why it matters
The discovery of Martin's abandoned vehicle provides key evidence in the investigation into how and why he traveled from his home in North Carolina to Mar-a-Lago, raising concerns about security at the president's Florida estate and the potential threat posed by the intruder.
The details
Police say Martin parked his car along South Ocean Boulevard near Hammon Avenue and then walked south to Mar-a-Lago, where he was confronted by law enforcement and fatally shot. Investigators are now working to trace Martin's route and determine his motives for the intrusion.
- The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
- Martin's car was discovered soon after the Mar-a-Lago incident, according to police.
- The FBI is continuing its investigation, including reviewing Martin's digital devices and social media activity.
The players
Austin Tucker Martin
A 21-year-old North Carolina man who was fatally shot by law enforcement after entering Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and gas canister.
U.S. Secret Service
Federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the president, which was involved in the shooting of Martin at Mar-a-Lago.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Local law enforcement agency that assisted the Secret Service in the incident at Mar-a-Lago.
What they’re saying
“It was just fantastic policework,”
— Sgt. Michael Ogrodnick, Palm Beach Police spokesman
What’s next
The FBI is continuing its investigation into Martin's actions and motives, including reviewing his digital devices, social media activity, and interviewing his family, friends, and acquaintances.
The takeaway
This incident raises serious questions about security at Mar-a-Lago and the ability of individuals to gain unauthorized access to the president's Florida estate, underscoring the ongoing challenges of protecting high-profile political figures from potential threats.
