Authorities have identified the armed intruder shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina, according to the Associated Press.
Martin had reportedly been listed as missing by his family just days before the incident. Investigators believe he traveled south and obtained the shotgun along the way. A box for the weapon was discovered inside his vehicle after the shooting.
According to the AP:
“The man, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, had a gas can and a shotgun, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman. He had been reported missing by his family a few days ago, and investigators believe he headed south and picked up the shotgun along the way.”
Fox News broke the name of the shooter on air.
The breach occurred around 1:30 a.m. when Martin drove into the secure perimeter as another vehicle was exiting the property. He was confronted near the north gate by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter:
“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said at a brief press conference. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured, and no Secret Service protectees were present at the property at the time. President Trump was not in Florida.
Investigators are working to determine a motive and compile a psychological profile. When asked whether Martin had prior contact with law enforcement, Bradshaw said, “Not right now.”
Law enforcement has since released a photo of the shotgun recovered at the scene.
The post includes the newly released image of the weapon shown during the morning press conference.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement following the incident:
“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.”
The FBI is leading the investigation and has asked nearby residents to review exterior surveillance footage. Authorities say the investigation into Martin’s background, actions, and potential motive remains ongoing.
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