Austin Tucker Martin entered the property near the north gate shortly after 1:30 a.m. ET, according to officials. He was armed with a shotgun and carrying a fuel can, according to the Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

Law enforcement officials said Martin was able to enter the property as another vehicle was exiting the gated entrance. It is unclear whether he drove through or slipped through before the barrier closed, but he was confronted by agents and a sheriff’s deputy shortly after entering.

Sheriff Bradshaw stated that Martin was ordered to drop his weapons. Instead, he set down the fuel can and raised the shotgun into a firing position. Two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy opened fire, striking and killing Martin at the scene. No officers were injured in the exchange.

Investigators believe Martin may have purchased the shotgun during his drive from North Carolina to Florida. A box for the weapon was reportedly found in his vehicle after the incident. His family had reported him missing the day before, raising questions about his mental state and travel intentions.

Authorities are working to determine Martin’s motive and have begun building a psychological profile. There is no indication he had any prior contact with law enforcement or a direct connection to the president or the property.

President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago during the incident. He and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House in Washington, D.C., and have been briefed on the situation.

A joint investigation involving the Secret Service, FBI, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing. Authorities have asked nearby residents for any security camera footage that may provide additional context.

Mar-a-Lago, a frequently used presidential retreat and protected federal site, maintains strict security measures. This incident follows several documented security threats and assassination attempts targeting Trump during the 2024 campaign cycle.