The armed man who was shot dead by the Secret Service on the early hours of Sunday morning after reaching a secure perimeter at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, has now been identified.
The armed man who breached the secure perimeter, who was wielding a shotgun and had a gas can, has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin.
According to authorities, Martin was previously reported missing by his parents days before the incident took place.
Watch Fox News’ latest report here:
Check out what the New York Post had to report on the close call:
The crazed gunman who was shot dead after trying to enter Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and a gas can has been identified as a North Carolina artist who was reported missing by his mom.
Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of Cameron, North Carolina, was killed by law enforcement in the early hours of Sunday morning, law enforcement sources told The Post.
He was reported missing by his family to authorities on Saturday.
Officials are still investigating whether he bought the gun en route to Florida.
A box for the shotgun was discovered in Martin’s vehicle following the shooting, which took place at around 1:30 a.m., according to Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
According to his social media, his family was frantically looking for him after he disappeared on Saturday night.
Investigators haven’t said whether Martin was previously known to law enforcement.
Authorities have urged nearby residents in south Florida to check their security cameras for any footage that may show him.
He was shot after he failed to drop the shotgun and gas can when he entered the inner perimeter of President Trump’s Florida estate.
BREAKING: Image released showing the shotgun and gas can carried by the intruder who breached the perimeter of Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/JsQQZKre2e
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) February 22, 2026
PBS shared the FBI’s response to the incident:
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation. Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”
The incident comes as the United States has been rocked by spasms political violence.
The incursion at Mar-a-Lago took place a few miles from Trump’s West Palm Beach club where a man tried to assassinate him while he played golf during the 2024 campaign.
A Secret Service agent spotted that man, Ryan Routh, aiming a rifle through the shrubbery before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire and caused Routh to drop his weapon.
