An early morning security breach at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s resort in Florida, resulted in a deadly shooting on Sunday. An armed man managed to bypass the property’s security perimeter.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service, reported that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. The suspect, taking advantage of a car exiting the premises, drove through the gate, as detailed by Fox 8 Live.
The individual involved has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina. Authorities shared that Martin had been reported missing by his family days before the incident.
Investigations reveal that Martin likely obtained a shotgun during his journey south. A box for the weapon was later found in his vehicle.
According to Guglielmi, Martin was also in possession of a gas can at the time of the breach.
The incident took place at the resort’s north gate, where two Secret Service agents, along with a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy, confronted Martin.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw detailed the final moments of the encounter during a press briefing.
“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,” Bradshaw said, “At that point in time, the deputy and the two Secret Service agents fired their weapons and neutralized the threat.”
The reported assailant was “deceased at the scene,” according to Bradsaw.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were not present at the Florida club during the incident. Both were at the White House in DC, according to Fox 8 Live.
The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation. Director Kash Patel stated on X that updates will be provided as they become available.
The “FBI is dedicating all necessary resources to the investigation of this morning’s incident at President Trump’s Mar-A-Lago.” Patel said.
“We will continue working closely with SecretService as well as our state and federal partners.”
Currently, investigators are developing a psychological profile of the suspect and trying to determine a specific motive.
They are reviewing local security footage. Residents near the resort are asked to provide any relevant recordings.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: FILE- The Mar-a-Lago resort owned by President-elect Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Fla., is seen Nov. 21, 2016. As the Justice Department’s probe into former President Donald Trump’s handling of White House materials deepens, lawmakers of both parties have more questions than answers. The search of Trump’s private club is unprecedented for a former president. Intelligence officials have offered to brief congressional leaders possibly as soon as next week. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)]
