Secret Service Fatally Shoots Man Near Mar-a-Lago; Local and Fiscal Stories Emerge
Secret Service agents shot an early-20s man near Mar-a-Lago who was seen with an apparent shotgun and a fuel can, officials said.
Overview
The United States Secret Service fatally shot a man outside President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort early Sunday morning, the Secret Service said.
The man unlawfully entered the resort’s secure perimeter around 1:30 a.m. and was seen carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can by the north gate, the Secret Service said.
Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy confronted the man, shots were fired by law enforcement, and neither the agents nor the deputy were injured, officials said.
Commentary noted that gross debt rose by $2.6 trillion since Jan. 20, 2025, and that the FY 2026 full-funding bill contained roughly $1.6 trillion in discretionary spending and $15.5 billion in earmarks.
In a separate Palm Beach County incident, staffer Shaundra Smith, 49, was arrested Tuesday on a child-abuse charge, released on $10,000 bond, and removed from William T. Dwyer High School pending investigation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources use activist language and repeated donation appeals ('push back', 'misleading media lies', 'creeping socialism'), prioritizing libertarian frames and skepticism of government and media. Editorial choices — loaded terms, omission of opposing views, and repetitive calls to action — create a persuasive, advocacy-oriented narrative rather than neutral reporting.
Sources (31)
FAQ
The man was 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina, who had been reported missing by his family a few days prior.
The man was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. He put down the gas can but raised the shotgun to a shooting position, prompting Secret Service agents and a deputy to fire and neutralize the threat.
No, President Donald Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident.
The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office are investigating the man's background, actions, motives, and use of force. A joint news briefing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.