West Palm Beach, Florida — Secret Service agents fatally shot a man early Sunday morning when he crossed into a restricted zone at Mar-a-Lago, the private club owned by former President Donald Trump.

The breach occurred around 2 a.m. local time. Agents spotted the intruder, believed to be in his 20s, as he entered an area off-limits to the public. They confronted him inside the secure perimeter. Shots rang out after agents deemed him a threat, according to a Secret Service statement.

No one else was hurt. Trump remained in Washington at the time for official duties, officials said. The man’s identity awaits release pending notification of next of kin.

Investigators from the Secret Service and local Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies swarmed the scene. They sealed off sections of the 126-acre estate along South Ocean Boulevard. Forensic teams combed the grounds for evidence, while agents interviewed witnesses and reviewed security footage.

“Secret Service personnel encountered an individual who breached the restricted area,” the agency’s statement read. “Lethal force was used when the subject posed an imminent threat.”

Questions linger over the man’s motives. Authorities have not said if he carried weapons or explosives. Nor have they linked him to any known threats. Early findings point to a lone actor, with no signs of a wider conspiracy.

Mar-a-Lago maintains round-the-clock protection, even when Trump travels. The resort, a frequent target during his presidency, has faced prior intrusions. In 2022, a man with a fake warrant tried to force entry. Agents arrested him without gunfire. Other episodes involved drone flyovers and suspicious packages, all neutralized swiftly.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw praised the response. “Our deputies assisted federal agents on site,” he said in a statement. “The area is secure, and the public faces no ongoing risk.”

Federal investigators now lead the probe. They will reconstruct the intruder’s path, from how he scaled fences to what prompted the fatal encounter. The Secret Service’s incident review board will scrutinize the use of force, standard procedure after any shooting.

Local residents expressed unease but relief. “You hear about these things, but it’s too close to home,” said Maria Lopez, who lives a block away. She watched police lights flash from her window around 3 a.m.

Mar-a-Lago, valued at over $300 million, blends Trump’s personal residence with a members-only club. Security layers include motion sensors, cameras and armed patrols. The perimeter abuts busy roads and upscale neighborhoods, complicating defense.

Officials promised updates as the investigation advances. The FBI stands ready to assist if foreign ties emerge, though none appear likely at this stage.

Sunday’s shooting adds to the tally of high-security alerts at the estate. It highlights persistent vulnerabilities at prominent sites, regardless of the protectee’s presence.