PALM BEACH, Florida – The would-be assassin shot and killed at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday was reportedly obsessed with the files on convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and was at least previously a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.
As WorldNetDaily reported, Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina was shot to death by U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy when Martin breached security at Trump’s Florida home, armed with a shotgun and gasoline can, and raised his firearm to a “shooting position.”
TMZ reports Martin, 21, sent a text message to a co-worker on Feb. 15 that read, “I don’t know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable.”
“The best people like you and I can do is use what little influence we have. Tell other people about what you hear about the Epstein files and what the government is doing about it. Raise awareness.”
“Sources who worked with Austin at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in North Carolina tell TMZ … he became fixated on Epstein following the latest release of information tied to the files. Co-workers tell us he was deeply disturbed by what he believed was a government cover-up and often talked about powerful people ‘getting away with it.'”
“At the same time, Austin was outspoken about his Christian faith and political views. We’re told he regularly expressed support for Trump, telling colleagues as recently as late last year he believed Trump was a strong leader.”
Martin’s cousin, 19-year-old Braeden Fields, told the Associated Press that Martin was a “good kid.”
“I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,” Fields said.
He indicated Martin would even send money from each paycheck from his golf-course job to charity.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said.
President Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident, and he has not publicly commented on the shootout at the “Winter White House.”
But his Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X: “In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home.
“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home. Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our… https://t.co/MYTsHqR4cx
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 22, 2026
Democrats voted to defund Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations (who partner with Secret Service) and all the intelligence and law enforcement functions that support Secret Service.
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) February 22, 2026
Never before in history has federal law enforcement been purposefully defunded.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Sunday: “At 1:30 this morning, the security detail detected that an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago. A deputy and two Secret Service agents on the detail went to that area to investigate.
“They confronted white male that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with him, at which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position.
“At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat. He is deceased at the scene.”
WATCH:
Palm Beach County sheriff on man killed at Mar-a-Lago: "At 1:30 this morning, the security detail detected that an individual had made his way into the inner perimeter of Mar-a-Lago ... they confronted a white man that was carrying a gas can and a shotgun. He was ordered to drop… pic.twitter.com/U4VbA5rhy3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 22, 2026
FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with @SecretService as well our…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 22, 2026
I have been speaking with President Trump and coordinating with our federal partners throughout the morning regarding the intrusion and shooting at Mar-A-Lago.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) February 22, 2026
Grateful that @potus and our law enforcement agents are safe.
WATCH THE FULL NEWS CONFERENCE:
Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews
Armed man shot and killed at President Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago
Why assassination threats against Trump are increasing daily
