Austin Tucker Martin: Details of Mar-a-Lago Shooting
A 21-year-old man from North Carolina, identified as Austin Tucker Martin, was fatally shot by law enforcement after breaching the perimeter of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, early Sunday morning, February 22, 2026. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Local time.
What Happened at Mar-a-Lago?
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Martin was spotted by two Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy at the north gate of Mar-a-Lago carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can [Palm Beach Daily News]. After being instructed to drop the items, Martin put down the gas canister but then raised the shotgun into a shooting position, prompting law enforcement to open fire [Palm Beach Daily News].
Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Who Was Austin Tucker Martin?
Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was from Carthage, North Carolina. He had been reported missing by his family a few days prior to the incident [Palm Beach Daily News]. He was last heard from on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:51 p.m. [Palm Beach Daily News]. Investigators believe he traveled south and acquired the shotgun along the way, with a box for the weapon found in his vehicle [Hindustan Times].
Trump’s Location and Investigation
Donald Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the shooting. He was at the White House [Hindustan Times]. The FBI has taken over the investigation and is collecting evidence [Newsweek]. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the agency is dedicating all necessary resources to the investigation [Newsweek].
Recent Security Concerns at Mar-a-Lago
This incident is the latest in a series of security concerns involving Donald Trump. In 2024, a gunman’s bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, and another individual was arrested with a rifle near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach [Newsweek]. Ryan Routh, the individual arrested near the golf course, was sentenced to life in prison this month [Newsweek].
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the Secret Service “acted quickly and decisively to neutralise a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded president Trump’s home.” [Palm Beach Daily News]