Feb. 22, 2026 — Palm Beach, Fla. Two U.S. Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from Cameron, North Carolina, after he breached the secure north gate perimeter of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate around 1:30 a.m. EST.
Martin drove his vehicle through the main gate on Ocean Boulevard as an employee vehicle exited and was confronted carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a gas canister, authorities said at a news conference. Law enforcement ordered him to drop the items, but he set down the canister and raised the shotgun to a firing position, prompting the shooting, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
“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. [The two agents and the deputy] fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.” — Sheriff Ric Bradshaw
President Trump was not at the residence, reportedly in Washington, D.C., and is safe, officials confirmed across multiple outlets including NBC News and ABC News. The FBI is leading the investigation into the breach and motive, with two Secret Service agents placed on administrative leave.
Sheriff Bradshaw noted the suspect likely purchased the shotgun while driving south to Florida, as a box for the weapon was found in his vehicle. He praised the response, stating security “worked like it was supposed to work.”
The incident occurred amid heightened security at Mar-a-Lago following prior threats against Trump. No injuries were reported among law enforcement.
