A 21-year-old man from Carthage, North Carolina, was shot and killed Sunday by U.S. Secret Service agents at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
The suspect was identified as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, the Associated Press reports, according to a person familiar with the matter who remained anonymous.
According to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Martin was reported missing by family members in North Carolina. Officials told WRAL News the FBI was at Martin’s home in Cameron on Sunday afternoon.
Vehicles blocked the entrance to a property listed in public records as an address for Martin at the end of a private road in Cameron, North Carolina.
Investigators believe the suspect left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Guglielmi said. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office later released a photo of the shotgun and gas can Martin is believed to have used.
‘It’s mind-blowing’: Family member of suspect says suspect never really talked
According to the Associated Press, Braeden Fields, Martin’s cousin, reacted with disbelief. He described Martin as quiet, afraid of guns and from a family of avid Trump supporters.
“He’s a good kid,” Fields, 19, said. He said they grew up together. “I wouldn’t believe he would do something like this. It’s mind-blowing,” Fields said.
He said Martin worked at a local golf course and would send money from each paycheck to charity.
“He wouldn’t even hurt an ant. He doesn’t even know how to use a gun,” Fields said. He said his cousin didn’t discuss politics. “We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody,” Fields said, but his cousin was “real quiet, never really talked about anything.”
Cindy Carlyle, who live near the Martin family, told WRAL News that they saw Martin’s mother go to a gas station to report him missing.
“She had no idea where he was,” Carlyle said.
“I just hate it for the family,” said Danny Carlyle, Cindy’s husband. “It just a tragic situation. Young man loses his life over something that could have been avoided.”
Trump, who often spends weekends at the resort, and first lady Melania Trump, were both at the White House at the time of the shooting. The motive is still under investigation.
‘He was ordered to stop’: Authorities detail shooting at Mar-a-Lago
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.
“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. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
The man entered the north gate of the property as another vehicle was exiting and was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy, 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,” Bradshaw said at a brief press conference. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina said a relative of Martin’s reported him missing early Sunday morning.
Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile. Asked whether the man was previously known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”
The FBI encouraged residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Trump faced two assassination attempts during his last campaign
It’s not the first time threats to Trump’s life have been tied to a suspect from North Carolina.
In September 2024, Ryan Routh, from Greensboro, was captured after trying to assassinate Trump on a Florida golf course near Mar-a-Lago. Routh was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.
Trump was also wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
White House brings in shutdown politics
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that “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.”
Leavitt used her post to blame Democratic lawmakers in Congress for the partial government shutdown affecting the Homeland Security Department, which began Feb. 14 after Democrats demanded changes to the president’s deportation campaign.
The Secret Service is among the agencies where the vast majority of employees are continuing their work but missing a paycheck.
“Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans,” Leavitt said. “It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
The White House referred all questions to the Secret Service and FBI. Both Trump and his wife posted statements on social media after the incident, but they were unrelated to the shooting.
FBI asks neighbors for help
The FBI asked area residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.
Patel said in post on X that the bureau would be “dedicating all necessary resources” to the investigation.
Numerous recent acts of politically motivated violence
In the past year, there was the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; the assassination of the Democratic leader in the Minnesota state House and her husband and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife; and an arson attack at the official residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Five days ago, a Georgia man armed with a shotgun was arrested as he sprinted toward the west side of the U.S. Capitol. Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address there on Tuesday night.
This story will be updated as more details emerge.