Mar-a-Lago intruder Austin Tucker Martin shot dead by Secret Service Sunday

A 21-year-old man named Austin Tucker Martin was shot and killed by Secret Service agents on Sunday morning after he drove into Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and gas can. This is higher than zero intruders expected.
By Newsroom | Crime, National Security |

A man identified as Austin Tucker Martin was fatally shot by the U.S. Secret Service on Sunday morning after breaching the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Martin was armed with a shotgun and carrying a gas can when he drove into the property.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to officials, Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old resident of North Carolina, drove through the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago resort. As he entered the secure area, he was reportedly carrying a shotgun and a gas can. Secret Service agents confronted Martin and ordered him to drop the items. Reports indicate that he then raised the shotgun to a shooting position, prompting agents to fire their weapons.

Who Is Austin Tucker Martin? Armed Mar-A-Lago Intruder Unmasked as Us Citizen After Secret Service Gunfire Breaks Out at Trump's Estate - 1

At the time of the intrusion, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House in Washington, D.C., and were not present at the Mar-a-Lago estate. No Secret Service agents or local sheriff's deputies were reported injured during the encounter.

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Background of the Intruder

Austin Tucker Martin was identified as a U.S. citizen from North Carolina. His background details are still being investigated. Social media posts from his family indicated they had been searching for him after he disappeared on Saturday night. A box for the shotgun he carried was later found in his vehicle, described as a 2013 silver Volkswagen Tiguan. Investigators are examining whether he purchased the firearm en route to Florida.

Who Is Austin Tucker Martin? Armed Mar-A-Lago Intruder Unmasked as Us Citizen After Secret Service Gunfire Breaks Out at Trump's Estate - 2

The Incident at Mar-a-Lago

The breach occurred as another vehicle was exiting the Mar-a-Lago property. A Secret Service agent observed Martin aiming a shotgun. Despite being ordered to drop his weapon and the gas can, Martin allegedly raised the shotgun. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that agents acted to "neutralize the threat." Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described Martin raising the shotgun to a "shooting position" before agents opened fire.

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The FBI, Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office are jointly investigating the incident to determine Martin's motive for trespassing at Mar-a-Lago.

Who Is Austin Tucker Martin? Armed Mar-A-Lago Intruder Unmasked as Us Citizen After Secret Service Gunfire Breaks Out at Trump's Estate - 3

Official Statements

U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on X, formerly Twitter, that the Secret Service acted "quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded on the President Trump’s home." She confirmed that no Secret Service protectees were at the location during the incident.

Further Investigation

Authorities are seeking any relevant video footage from residents near Mar-a-Lago to aid in their investigation. The FBI has committed "all necessary resources" to the case, working in conjunction with federal and local partners. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reported she was coordinating with federal partners regarding the intrusion and shooting.

Read More: Secret Service Shoots Armed Man Who Entered Mar-a-Lago Perimeter on Sunday

Who Is Austin Tucker Martin? Armed Mar-A-Lago Intruder Unmasked as Us Citizen After Secret Service Gunfire Breaks Out at Trump's Estate - 4

| Details of Incident | Information ||—-|—-|| Date and Time | Sunday morning, approximately 1:30 a.m. || Location | Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida || Intruder Identified As | Austin Tucker Martin || Age | 21 || Origin | North Carolina || Weapons Found | Shotgun, gas can || Outcome | Fatally shot by U.S. Secret Service || President Trump's Location | White House, Washington D.C. || Injuries | None reported among Secret Service or deputies || Investigating Agencies | FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office |

Expert Analysis

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service, provided official accounts of the events, detailing the sequence of actions leading to the shooting. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County also confirmed the sequence of events as described by the Secret Service.

  • Secret Service Protocol: The actions taken by the Secret Service agents appear consistent with protocols designed to neutralize immediate threats to life and security. The sequence of events—from breach to confronting the armed individual to the use of force—is under detailed review by the involved agencies.

Unanswered Questions

While the identity of the intruder and the immediate events have been reported, several aspects remain under investigation:

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  • The precise motive behind Austin Tucker Martin's actions.

  • Whether Martin acquired the shotgun en route to Florida or prior to his trip.

  • The full extent of any potential connections Martin may have had to extremist groups or ideologies.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to elucidate the circumstances and motivations behind this intrusion.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was shot at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday morning?
Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old man from North Carolina, was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service agents. He drove into the Mar-a-Lago property early Sunday morning.
Q: Why was Austin Tucker Martin shot by the Secret Service at Mar-a-Lago?
Agents shot Martin after he drove into the secure area with a shotgun and a gas can. He was told to drop the items but allegedly raised the shotgun, which led agents to fire their weapons.
Q: Was President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago when the incident happened?
No, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House in Washington, D.C. at the time of the intrusion. They were not at the Mar-a-Lago estate.
Q: Were any Secret Service agents or other people injured at Mar-a-Lago?
No, there were no reports of injuries to any Secret Service agents or local sheriff's deputies during the encounter with Austin Tucker Martin.
Q: What is known about Austin Tucker Martin's background?
Austin Tucker Martin was a 21-year-old U.S. citizen from North Carolina. His family had reported him missing. Investigators are looking into his background and why he went to Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and gas can.
Q: Which agencies are investigating the Mar-a-Lago incident?
The FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office are working together to investigate the incident and find out Austin Tucker Martin's reasons for trespassing.