Secret Service Agents Fatally Shoot Intruder at Mar-a-Lago

The incident occurred while former President Trump was away in Washington, D.C.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 7:57pm

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The U.S. Secret Service reported that its agents shot and killed a man in his 20s after he attempted to unlawfully enter a secure perimeter at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was not present at the time, as he was in Washington, D.C.

Why it matters

The security breach at Mar-a-Lago, a property owned by a former U.S. president, raises concerns about the ongoing protection of high-profile political figures and their private residences, even when they are not present.

The details

According to the Secret Service, the unidentified man tried to gain unauthorized access to the secure perimeter around Mar-a-Lago, prompting agents to open fire and fatally shoot him. The incident occurred while former President Trump was away in the nation's capital.

  • The incident took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

U.S. Secret Service

The U.S. Secret Service is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting high-ranking government officials, including former presidents, and securing their residences.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the former President of the United States and the owner of the Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the security breach occurred.

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What’s next

The Secret Service and local authorities will investigate the incident to determine the intruder's motives and whether any additional security measures are needed to protect Mar-a-Lago and its former presidential resident.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing challenges of securing the private residences of former U.S. presidents, even when they are not present, and the need for vigilance in protecting high-profile political figures from potential threats.