PALM BEACH, Florida — Authorities have identified the armed man who was shot and killed after entering the grounds of Mar-a-Lago, the private resort owned by Donald Trump, in a dramatic and rapidly unfolding confrontation over the weekend.
The suspect has been named as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron. Multiple major outlets — including Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Fox News — confirmed his identity, citing law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation.
Investigators say Martin was observed near the north gate of the property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can. According to Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the United States Secret Service, agents monitoring the property quickly identified the threat and engaged.
During a press conference, Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office stated that officers ordered Martin to drop the weapon and the canister. He reportedly set down the fuel container but then raised the shotgun into what officials described as a “shooting position.” At that moment, law enforcement personnel opened fire. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities believe Martin purchased the shotgun while traveling south toward Florida. A box for the weapon was later recovered from his vehicle, further supporting that timeline. Officials have not yet disclosed how long he had been planning the trip or whether Mar-a-Lago was his specific intended destination from the outset.
As of now, investigators say there is no confirmed motive. Law enforcement agencies are working to reconstruct Martin’s movements, digital footprint, and communications in the days leading up to the incident. Officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The incident has once again intensified scrutiny around security at high-profile properties, particularly those associated with former and current political figures. Security protocols were immediately reviewed following the confrontation, though authorities have stressed that the response by agents on site was swift and in accordance with established protective procedures. For residents of Palm Beach County, the event has left lingering shock. What began as a routine weekend quickly escalated into a deadly encounter at one of the nation’s most closely watched estates. With questions still unanswered and motive unclear, investigators continue to piece together what drove a 21-year-old man from North Carolina to the gates of one of America’s most guarded properties — armed and ready for confrontation.