Armed Intruder Killed At Mar‑a‑Lago After Raising Shotgun
A 21‑year‑old man was killed after entering Mar‑a‑Lago with a shotgun and gas can; FBI is leading the probe and agents will be placed on leave, officials said.
Associated PressArmed man shot and killed at Mar-a-Lago was never interested in politics or guns, cousin says
New York Daily NewsArmed man shot dead at Mar-a-Lago was obsessed with Epstein files: reports
The GuardianNew details emerge about armed man shot and killed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
FOX NewsFamily member of armed man who breached Mar-a-Lago perimeter describes personality, politics
Overview
U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County deputy shot and killed 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin after he entered Mar-a-Lago's inner perimeter with a shotgun and a gas can about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2026.
The FBI is leading an active investigation into Martin's movements and motives and is processing the scene, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Martin raised the shotgun into a shooting position and that the agents and the deputy fired to "neutralize the threat."
Martin's family reported him missing at approximately 1:38 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2026, and his cousin Braeden Fields described him as quiet, fearful of guns and from a pro-Trump family.
Officials said the agents involved will be placed on administrative leave while the FBI compiles a psychological profile and urged residents to review exterior camera footage, FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the incident as both a tragic, possibly nonpolitical individual episode and part of a broader pattern of threats to Trump. Editorial choices foreground family quotes (source content) early to humanize the man, pair them with officials’ descriptions of a weaponized breach, and add past attempts to heighten perceived risk.
FAQ
Austin Tucker Martin was a 21-year-old from North Carolina, described by his cousin as very quiet, inexperienced with guns (only used a BB gun), and from a pro-Trump family. He worked on a golf course and liked golf courses.
At about 1:30 a.m. on February 22, 2026, Martin entered Mar-a-Lago's inner perimeter carrying a shotgun and gas can. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County deputy confronted him; he raised the shotgun, and they fired, killing him.
The FBI is leading the investigation into Martin's movements and motives, processing the scene, and compiling a psychological profile. Involved agents are on administrative leave.
No, Donald Trump was at the White House at the time of the incident.
