US: Intruder shot dead at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago was carrying shotgun, fuel can

Washington: Intruder who tried to break into US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Martin. He was carrying a shotgun and fuel can. The armed man attempted to illegally enter the secure premises of Mar-a-Lago, the private resort of US President Donald Trump in Florida, and was shot and killed by the US Secret Service.

What did the US Secret Service say?

The Secret Service confirmed the incident on Sunday. The incident occurred at the north gate of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, where the suspect was seen carrying a shotgun and a fuel can. According to reports, the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy shot the suspect, who died at the scene. 

According to the Secret Service, personnel posted at the north gate of Mar-a-Lago resort saw a man entering with a shotgun and a fuel can. The department stated that Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy shot the man. Bradshaw said he was ordered to drop the can and the weapon he was carrying. At that moment, he put down the gas can and raised the shotgun to fire. Both the agent and deputy fired their guns to neutralize the threat. The FBI has urged residents living near Mar-a-Lago to review footage from their security cameras to assist investigators.

What are the details of the case?

The suspect, a North Carolina resident in his 20s, was reported missing by his family a few days ago. Intelligence Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, acquiring a shotgun along the way. He also said the gun's case was recovered from his vehicle. Guglielmi said the man entered Mar-a-Lago's north gate while another vehicle was exiting. Investigators are working to develop a psychological profile, and the motive remains under investigation. When Bradshaw was asked if the man was known to law enforcement, he said, "Not yet."

President Trump often spends quality time at Mar-a-Lago on weekends, but he was present at the White House at the time of this incident. First Lady Melania Trump was also with him at the White House on Saturday night. It's worth noting that Trump has received numerous death threats in the past. On July 13, 2024, he was attacked during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which he was injured (a bullet struck his right ear). Then, on September 15, 2024, a man with a rifle (Ryan Routh) was caught hiding in bushes near Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach while he was golfing. He was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this month (in February 2026).